Feestmaal door Willem III op 1 maart 1672 gegeven ter ere van zijn benoeming tot kapitein-generaal 1672

This print by Gerard de Lairesse commemorates the feast given by William III on March 1, 1672, upon his appointment as captain-general. Such displays of power and wealth, especially amidst ongoing political tensions with France and England, were carefully orchestrated performances. The Dutch Golden Age was marked by both prosperity and political complexity, where the personal ambitions of leaders like William were intertwined with national identity. The artist, Gerard de Lairesse, had converted to Calvinism but he was born Roman Catholic, and had spent a lot of time in the French Republic - these influences played a part in his embrace of a style rooted in French classicism. The print invites us to consider how power is constructed and maintained through spectacle and representation. It reminds us that every image is laden with choices, reflecting the values and priorities of its time, while also shaping our understanding of history. While this piece is a fairly traditional depiction of a celebration it is a clear message to its contemporary audience of power, wealth and prestige.