Vignet van de rederijkerskamer 'Trouw moet blyken' te Haarlem 1741 - 1795

Cornelis van Noorde etched this vignette for the Haarlem chamber of rhetoric, ‘Trouw Moet Blyken,’ or ‘Loyalty Must Be Shown.’ At its heart, we see a mother swan nestled over her cygnets, an ancient symbol of grace and fidelity, echoing through time from classical myths to medieval bestiaries. The swan’s protective stance reminds us of Leda and the Swan, a tale laden with transformation and fate, recurring in countless artistic forms. Even the act of nest-building carries echoes of domestic virtue and communal harmony, resurfacing in diverse cultural narratives throughout history. Consider, too, the psychological weight of nurturing imagery—a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The swan, ever-present yet ever-changing, serves as a reminder of how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface across generations, bearing witness to the cyclical nature of human experience.