Friedrich der Grosse stiftet den Fürstenbund 1793

Meno Haas created this print depicting Friedrich the Great establishing the League of Princes. The arrows bundled together, presented by a figure in classical armor, immediately draw our attention. This motif, deeply rooted in the classical world, symbolizes strength through unity. We see similar themes in ancient Roman fasces, bundles of rods and an axe representing the power of the state. Here, the arrows suggest a political alliance, a unified front among the German princes. Yet, such symbols are never static. Consider the laurel wreath crowning Friedrich, a sign of victory and honor since antiquity. In this context, it speaks to his ambition and vision. The presence of classical symbols within this eighteenth-century print reveals a conscious connection to the past, an attempt to legitimize contemporary political maneuvers through the weight of historical precedent. It touches something primal within us, a deep-seated understanding of power, legacy, and the cyclical nature of history. These symbols carry an emotional charge that transcends time, reminding us that the past is always present.