De prins van Oranje moet buigen voor Johan de Witt 1672

This print, made by an anonymous artist, depicts Prince of Orange bowing before Johan de Witt. Observe the figure of Fame, floating above, sounding her trumpet. The motif of Fame, often depicted as a winged figure with a trumpet, harkens back to classical antiquity, embodying the dissemination of reputation and historical record. Yet, here, this symbol of glory is tinged with irony. In ancient Rome, victory and triumph were celebrated with similar imagery, but over time, the meaning has evolved to signify not just achievement, but also the fleeting nature of worldly acclaim. Consider how collective memory and the subconscious imbue this image with power, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This symbol of Fame reveals the cyclical progression of human events, resurfacing in different historical contexts.