Theatre in The Hague for the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) – Jan Caspar Philips

“Naauwkeurige Afbeelding van het Pragtig Gebouw, Op order van de Hoog. Mog. Heeren Staten Generaal der Vereenigde Nederlanden (…) in de Hof-Vyver van ‘s Gravenhage opgeregt, ter gelegenheid van de Vreede, den 18 October 1748 te Aken geslooten” [Accurate Representation of the Magnificent Building, erected by order of the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Netherlands (…) in the Hofvijver at The Hague, on the occasion of the Peace concluded at Aachen on 18 October 1748.] Etching with engraving made by Jan Caspar Philips after a drawing by Franciscus Schluymer, published by Anthony de Groot & Zoonen in 1749. Size: 58 × 88.5 cm.

This magnificent large print depicts the monumental theatre that was constructed in 1749 in the Hofvijver in The Hague to celebrate the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748). This treaty brought an end to the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), a large-scale European conflict in which the Dutch Republic had also become involved.

The structure shown was not a permanent building but an impressive example of festival architecture, specially designed for the grand illuminations and fireworks displays that took place on 11 and 13 June 1749. The theatre consisted of a semicircular colonnade with niches, statues, and arch-like passages reminiscent of triumphal arches. At the centre stood a raised pavilion adorned with sculptures, which served as the principal stage for the fireworks constructions.

Beneath the scene is a richly ornamented Rococo cartouche containing a dedication to Stadtholder William IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau, who since 1747 had been hereditary stadtholder of all the provinces of the Republic. On the left appears his coat of arms flanked by a lion, accompanied by the arms of Nassau and other dynastic territories. On the right we see the crowned monogram of William IV and his wife Anne of Hanover, daughter of the English king George II, likewise supported by heraldic lions. The imagery emphasizes the dynastic connection between the House of Orange-Nassau and the British royal family.

The print served a dual purpose. On the one hand, it functioned as a commemorative record of the spectacular peace celebrations held in The Hague; on the other, it acted as a propagandistic image of peace, dynastic stability, and political unity within the Dutch Republic.

Literature: Frederik Muller, De Nederlandsche geschiedenis in platen (1863-1882): beredeneerde beschrijving van Nederlandsche historieplaten, zinneprenten en historische kaarten, nr. 3966.

Price: Euro 950,-