Cartouche met twee putti op adelaars die samen een helm ophouden 1646

This print, etched by Stefano della Bella, features a cartouche held aloft by two putti perched on eagles, all crowned by a helmet. The eagle is an ancient symbol of power, often associated with Roman emperors and, of course, Jove himself. It embodies authority and divine strength. Here, the putti, symbols of innocence, rest upon these eagles. Notice how they together attempt to place the helmet on the head of the eagle. In Renaissance emblems, similar motifs were used to portray strength being guided by innocence, a theme which echoes through time, from ancient myths to modern allegories of governance. The helmet, traditionally associated with military prowess, takes on a different hue when combined with these elements. We see how symbols are never static; they evolve, combine, and re-emerge, laden with layers of meaning shaped by the collective psyche. Each culture imbues them with their own aspirations, fears, and memories, continually reshaping their significance.