Vuurwerk bij de Kloveniersdoelen bij de kroning van Willem III, 1689 1689

Romeyn de Hooghe etched this print, now in the Rijksmuseum, depicting fireworks over the Kloveniersdoelen for William III’s coronation in 1689. The dominant image is of the fireworks themselves, bursting forth from a structure on a barge in the river. These grand displays are a potent symbol of power and celebration, linked to both the earthly reign of a new monarch and the celestial display of divine approval. Consider the motif of the sun, which is also centrally placed within the bursting fireworks. Throughout history, across diverse cultures, the sun has symbolized enlightenment, life, and authority. Think of the Sun King, Louis XIV, who used the sun as his personal emblem to project an image of absolute power and divine right. In de Hooghe’s print, the sun amidst the fireworks evokes similar feelings of awe and reverence, merging political power with a sense of cosmic order. This symbol is in constant flux, shaped by collective memory and ever-changing cultural contexts. The ephemeral nature of fireworks reminds us of the fleeting nature of power, while the enduring symbol of the sun represents humanity's timeless search for meaning and order.