Huwelijk van prins Willem II en Maria Stuart, 1641 1651 - 1652

This engraving depicts the wedding of Prince William II and Mary Stuart in 1641, rendered by an anonymous artist. Hovering above the couple, we observe putti bearing a wreath, and a dove radiating light—symbols deeply entrenched in Western iconography. The dove, especially, is fascinating. Instantly recognizable as the Holy Spirit in Christian contexts, symbolizing purity and peace, its roots stretch further back. Consider the dove's association with Venus, the Roman goddess of love, or its earlier appearances in Mesopotamian art, linked to fertility and the maternal goddess Ishtar. The image of doves in flight can be traced back to ancient Greece, symbolizing renewal and hope. Here, it suggests divine approval and blessings upon the union. Notice how the symbol of the dove, laden with historical and emotional weight, is adapted here to sanctify a dynastic marriage, revealing the cyclical progression of symbols through time, their meanings continuously reshaped by culture and context.