Gouden beker van Cornelis de Witt 1777 - 1821

Hendrik Leffert Meyling's print depicts a golden cup, a tribute to Cornelis de Witt. Observe the heraldic lion on the cup's lid, a symbol of courage, nobility, and royalty that recurs throughout history. This lion echoes in ancient Near Eastern art and reappears on medieval European shields. Over time, its symbolic power shifts, adapting to new political landscapes. It represents not merely power, but also the emotional resonance of ancestral identity and pride. Consider the cup's maritime scene. Ships engage in battle, a coastal town ablaze. The drama evokes a primal response, a visceral memory of conflict and survival, engaging us on a subconscious level. This isn't merely a depiction of a battle, but a symbolic vessel carrying the weight of historical trauma, the cyclical recurrence of war and peace.