Paneel met wapenschild van de Zweedse koninklijke familie before 1689

This anonymous panel showcases the Swedish royal family's coat of arms, framed by classical motifs. Note the bound captives flanking the central crest. These figures, burdened and restrained, evoke images of subjugated peoples found in Roman triumphal arches. This motif of bound figures, symbols of conquest and power, reappears throughout history – in Renaissance bronzes, Baroque sculptures, and even early modern political cartoons. These figures, though seemingly defeated, carry a potent emotional charge. They remind us that power is often built upon subjugation. This engraving acts as a reminder of the cyclical nature of power, dominance, and the deep psychological impact of conquest on both victor and vanquished.