Beleg en inname van Den Bosch door Frederik Hendrik, 1629, (blad linksonder) 1630

Cornelis Danckerts produced this print in 1629, depicting Frederik Hendrik's siege of Den Bosch. At the heart of the image, we see an allegorical figure, a winged putto amidst weapons and armaments. This figure signifies not just victory, but perhaps a divine endorsement of military might. Such motifs echo across history. Consider the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a Hellenistic sculpture symbolizing triumph and power. The putto here, while seemingly innocent, bears a lineage connecting it to ancient deities of war and success. It is a visual strategy that subtly elevates a military campaign to something sanctioned by higher powers. This motif transcends mere representation; it taps into a collective memory of glory and conquest. The image, therefore, operates on a subconscious level, engaging viewers with the emotional weight of historical and mythical associations. It embodies not just a physical battle, but also the psychological landscape of power and its enduring symbols.