Revue van de cavalerie door prins Willem V op het Malieveld te Den Haag, 1770 1770

Paulus Constantijn la Fargue made this drawing of the cavalry review by Prince William V on the Malieveld in The Hague in 1770. La Fargue here depicts a formal display of military might and social hierarchy. The drawing offers a fascinating window into the political landscape of the Dutch Republic in the 18th century. The House of Orange, to which Prince William V belonged, was in power, but the Republic was fraught by internal divisions. La Fargue’s image shows a society that still clings to the old order. The rigid lines of soldiers and the presence of the elite, including children playing with a cart, all speak to a desire for stability and continuity. To understand this artwork fully, we can examine period documents, political pamphlets, and social commentaries. These historical resources can reveal the nuances of the social and institutional context that shaped the production and reception of this image.