Allegorische voorstelling 1562 - 1616

Hans von Aachen created this allegorical drawing with pen in brown ink, brush in brown and gray, and charcoal. Here, we see a multitude of figures, both earthly and celestial. Dominating the lower register is a kneeling woman, likely representing humility or submission. She is surrendering to the central female figure in elaborate robes, who is flanked by additional figures holding various symbolic objects. Above, a heavenly host populates the clouds, a winged figure with a trumpet announcing from the right. The trumpet-blowing angel can be traced back to ancient Roman depictions of Fame, an allegorical figure spreading news. We see earlier iterations in classical sculpture, adapted during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the meaning subtly shifting with each adaptation. Such images tap into our collective memory, stirring feelings of awe, wonder, and the sublime, engaging us on a profound level. Notice that the angel and the kneeling woman, symbols of announcement and submission, are not confined to von Aachen's time, but resonate through centuries of art. These symbols will continue to evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings.