Monument to King George I 1732

Domenico Maria Fratta etched this sepia-toned monument to King George I, filled with symbols of power and historical reference. See how Fratta employed the lion, a regal symbol often associated with strength and courage, closely guarding a shield; this evokes ancient heraldry and Rome's protective animal figures. Such symbolic placement is hardly unique to this piece. Consider, for instance, how similar lion imagery appears in the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, millennia before, or even the lions flanking the Throne of Solomon. This motif of guardianship recurs across epochs, echoing collective memory of the lion as a protector. The horse-drawn chariot is also dominant. It suggests triumph and imperial processions, much like those depicted on Roman triumphal arches. These symbols echo through time, resurfacing in varied forms, each iteration subtly altered by cultural context. Fratta masterfully weaves a narrative that taps into the collective consciousness, ensuring King George I is remembered through enduring symbols of power and legitimacy.