Vlucht van Napoleon, 1815 1815 - 1820

Christoph-Wilhelm Bock created this print, "Vlucht van Napoleon," in 1815, encapsulating Napoleon's downfall. Dominating the scene is the allegorical figure of Dutch Liberty, a classical figure with the staff and hat, standing triumphant. But consider the image of Napoleon himself fleeing on horseback. This motif of the leader in retreat echoes through art history, a recurring symbol of defeated ambition. Remember the Roman emperors depicted fleeing from battle? The visual language is strikingly similar. It taps into a primal narrative of hubris punished, a theme resonating deeply within the collective consciousness. The fleeing figure touches our subconscious. We see not just Napoleon, but the timeless fallibility of human aspiration, a sobering reminder echoed through centuries of art. The image of Napoleon's flight takes its place in this cyclical return of symbols, forever entwined with our understanding of power and its inevitable transience.