Tekstblad bij de spotprent op Engeland, 1652 1652

This broadside by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger, made in 1652, presents an allegorical fight through text, pitting the English lion against Dutch dogs. The lion, a symbol of England, is a motif stretching back to Richard the Lionheart, embodying courage and royalty. Yet, in the context of this print, the lion faces a pack of dogs, representing the Dutch Republic. Dogs, often symbols of loyalty, here may also imply aggression. This opposition—the noble lion versus the tenacious dogs—reveals the complex relationship between England and the Netherlands during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. Consider how the lion, a solar symbol of strength, is challenged by the mundane, earthbound dogs. This juxtaposition creates a psychological tension, reflecting anxieties about power and national identity. The evolving meaning of the lion—from a symbol of divine right to a figure in political satire—shows the continuous reshaping of symbols through history, echoing collective memories and immediate political realities. Ultimately, this image captures a moment in the ongoing, cyclical contest for dominance.