Twee penningen op het beleg van Amsterdam door Willem II, 1650 1724 - 1726

These two medals commemorating the siege of Amsterdam by William II in 1650 are rich in symbolism. We see classical figures, emblems of peace and strength, and the cityscape of Amsterdam itself. Consider the figure of Peace, often depicted as a woman with an olive branch, a symbol that stretches back to ancient Greece and Rome. Here, she stands triumphant, but this is no simple victory. The olive branch, a sign of concord, belies the conflict, echoing how symbols morph across time. From antiquity to 17th-century Holland, the desire for peace remains, yet the path to it is ever fraught with struggle. Think of the psychological weight these symbols carried. The collective memory of war and the yearning for stability are woven into these images, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Notice how the symbols are not static; they evolve, acquiring new layers of meaning with each historical retelling, a cyclical progression that underscores humanity's enduring hopes and fears.