Filips Willem, prins van Oranje 1605

This silver medal of Filips Willem, Prince of Orange, was crafted by Guillaume Dupré. The reverse side features a ship navigating turbulent waters, surrounded by the Latin motto "Sustine et Progredere" – endure and advance. The ship, a potent symbol, evokes a sense of adventure, trade, and, indeed, the trials of life. This motif resonates deeply within the collective psyche. We see echoes of it in ancient Roman coins depicting naval victories, or even in the mythological Ship of Theseus. The ship is buffeted by the waves, an image of the soul's journey through the vicissitudes of fortune. Consider the emotional weight of this symbol—the hope, the resilience, and the implied vulnerability. Across centuries, the ship persists, a cultural carrier laden with meaning. We can see it in the early Christian art, as an allegory of the Church. Like all archetypes, the ship is not static; it evolves, mirroring humanity’s ever-changing relationship with the world. It is this cyclical progression of symbols that reveals the rich tapestry of cultural memory.