Portret van Anna van Hannover 1735

Philippus Endlich created this print of Anna van Hannover in Amsterdam in 1736. As a princess of Great Britain, she is framed by the French inscription "Princesse Roiale de la Grande Bretagne, Princesse d'Orange." The image tells us a lot about the culture and the institutions of its time. The choice of French for the inscription reflects its status as the language of diplomacy and aristocracy. Anna's fur-trimmed gown and elaborate lace speak to her status. The coat-of-arms topped with a crown reinforce that the image is about power and lineage. To better understand this image, we can ask: What was the relationship between the British and Dutch royal families at this time? How was female power represented in art? By exploring these questions, we can better understand the complex interplay of art, power, and society in 18th-century Europe.