Beleg van Hagestein door graaf Willem VI, 1405 1747 - 1759

Simon Fokke’s print captures the siege of Hagestein in 1405, portraying a castle under attack, its walls the focus of intense conflict. The flags are symbols of power and territorial claim, but they echo through history, appearing in different contexts. Consider, for example, the Roman standards carried into battle or the banners of medieval crusaders. The flag is a meeting point of past and present, a symbol of collective identity. In this print, it is not just a marker of ownership but a projection of psychological power, triggering a deep-seated emotional response connected to themes of conquest, resistance, and the primal struggle for dominance. The siege motif itself resonates with an idea of the human psyche, where conflict and defense mechanisms constantly battle for control. This image and its symbols are not just historical records, they represent cycles of human experience.