Verovering van het kasteel van Barcelona, 1705 1823 - 1829

Philippus Velijn created this print, "Conquest of the Castle of Barcelona, 1705," in the early 19th century. At its heart lies the image of conflict. The raised sword, a timeless symbol of power and justice, appears here amidst chaos. This gesture transcends Velijn's depiction: consider the Winged Victory of Samothrace, where a goddess's raised arm embodies triumph, or ancient Roman sculptures, where emperors brandish swords to assert their dominance. Over time, the sword evolved from a mere weapon into a potent emblem of authority and resolve. But the image's emotional core lies in the figures' expressions. The fear in the eyes of the besieged, the aggression of the attackers – these are visceral, deeply human reactions. Collective memory and subconscious fears intertwine, reminding us of humanity's capacity for both creation and destruction. The conquest motif has been in an eternal, cyclical progression, resurfacing throughout history. Velijn's work then becomes another instance of this symbol, evolving and adapting in response to new historical contexts.