Programma der Tweehonderdjarige Feest ter eere van Rubens, welke zal plaets hebben van den 15.n tot den 25.n Augustus 1840, te Antwerpen 1840 - 1848

This poster, printed in 1840 in Antwerp by the widow L.-P. De Lacroix, announces the bicentennial celebration of Rubens. At its apex sits a coat of arms. Such symbols were once badges of identity, proclaiming lineage and power. Consider how this heraldic emblem mirrors ancient Roman symbols of authority. The eagle, a recurring motif, transcends time and place, echoing in imperial banners and modern national emblems. This continuity speaks to a deep-seated human need for order and hierarchy. The act of commemoration itself carries psychological weight. By celebrating Rubens, the people of Antwerp seek to connect with a glorious past, assuaging anxieties about the present and future. This reaching back to a golden age—a phenomenon we see repeatedly throughout history—is a powerful emotional force. The poster is more than an advertisement; it is an invitation to participate in a collective act of remembrance, reinforcing cultural identity. Like the serpent that bites its tail, this celebration highlights the cyclical nature of cultural memory. Symbols evolve, but the emotional and psychological needs they fulfill remain constant.