Allegorie op de overwinningen behaald door de Geallieerden in het jaar 1706 1706

Cornelis Huyberts created this print in 1706 to commemorate the Allied victories. Dominating the scene, allegorical figures flank a triumphal arch, a motif stretching back to Roman antiquity, symbolizing power and victory. To the left, we see a muscular figure, possibly representing strength or a guardian of the state, accompanied by a lion. Such imagery of virile power echoes the Hellenistic lion hunts that decorated ancient temples, passed down to us through the Renaissance. But here, it is not just physical prowess; the alliance between man and beast speaks to deeper, often subconscious ties, a yearning for primal energies. On the right stands a nude figure holding a caduceus, the staff of Hermes, poised atop a globe. This symbolizes commerce and negotiation, hinting that victory lies not only in battle but also in diplomacy and trade. The classical god Hermes can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where he was represented as Thoth, god of wisdom and writing, and further evolved through Greek and Roman culture. Observe how the artist employs these age-old symbols, each use building upon layers of cultural memory, revealing our shared human desire for triumph over adversity.