Geboorte van de prins van Wales, 1688 1689

Pieter Pickaert's etching commemorates the birth of the Prince of Wales in 1688, presenting a scene brimming with symbolic weight. The royal bedchamber becomes a stage for dynastic continuity. The most dominant symbol here is that of the royal bed, draped in heavy fabric and topped with ornaments of power, acting as the fulcrum of the image. Consider the bed not merely as furniture, but as a locus of power, echoing ancient Roman traditions where the imperial bed signified authority. This motif reappears throughout history, from medieval tapestries to Renaissance paintings, each time imbued with the weight of tradition and legitimacy. Think of how the act of witnessing a royal birth serves as a public validation, a recurring theme in art that taps into our collective psyche. The presence of so many figures conveys a sense of shared experience but also conveys tension, a kind of anxiety about succession that can be palpable, engaging us on a subconscious level. This symbol and its shifting representation have been a constant reminder of the cyclical nature of power, perpetually reborn and reimagined.