Intocht van de winnaars 1844 - 1896

Willem de Famars Testas rendered this small etching with an image of triumph. The composition is dominated by the central motif of victors on horseback, a recurring trope throughout history. The raised hands and jubilant crowd echo ancient Roman triumphs, where victorious generals paraded through the city, celebrated as heroes. Consider the image of equestrian triumph throughout time. From Marcus Aurelius' statue in Rome to Renaissance depictions of emperors, the horse symbolizes power, control, and victory. This echoes through the ages, resurfacing even in modern political imagery. The collective memory of such scenes taps into a deep, almost primal response. We are drawn to the spectacle of victory, perhaps reflecting our subconscious desires for achievement and recognition. The motif’s non-linear journey reveals how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface. They carry the weight of history, yet remain fluid, shaped by each new context in which they appear.