Gezicht op de plaats Saint-Cloud 1600 - 1700

This watercolor painting offers a distant prospect of Saint-Cloud, showcasing the town's buildings, the river, and the overarching sky. But let's focus on the ribbon-like banner unfurled at the top. This motif, common in triumphal arches and heraldry, serves as a declaration. We see it echoed in Renaissance art, particularly in depictions of Fame or Victory, where banners proclaim achievements or virtues. Yet, consider its ancient roots in Roman art, where similar ribbons festooned altars and public monuments, symbols of celebration and power. Here, it carries a certain emotional weight. The banner may celebrate Saint-Cloud, but it also subtly evokes the transient nature of glory, as the delicate watercolor reminds us of time's passage. This interplay, between the assertion of triumph and the acknowledgment of impermanence, is a powerful force engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The non-linear progression of the symbol, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.