Penning ter gelegenheid van het zilveren huwelijksjubileum van Willem van Citters en Maria Kien, 1738 1738

This print by Jan Punt commemorates the silver wedding anniversary of Willem van Citters and Maria Kien in 1738. The image depicts the marital bond between Willem and Maria using emblems and symbols that were culturally specific to the time. Made in the Netherlands, the print speaks to the values and social expectations of marriage within Dutch society. The upper medallion shows two figures tending to a tree, invoking ideas of growth and prosperity within a marriage blessed by God. Below, coats of arms represent family lineage, pride, and the consolidation of social status through marriage. The choice of imagery is not accidental. This was a time when social hierarchies were visually reinforced. To fully understand this print, one might consult genealogical records and historical archives, to unpack the values and norms that shaped Dutch society in the 18th century.