Wapen met Fleur de lis en aan weerszijden putti, personificatie van Frankrijk en Minerva 1656

This anonymous engraving features a shield crowned by a fleur-de-lis, flanked by putti and personifications of France and Minerva. The fleur-de-lis, a stylized lily, has ancient roots, symbolizing French royalty and often associated with purity and the Virgin Mary. We see echoes of this emblem in various contexts, from medieval banners to modern logos. The gesture of holding the shield, a protective symbol, recurs throughout art history, from ancient Greek sculptures to Renaissance paintings. The enduring appeal of such symbols lies in their ability to tap into our collective memory and subconscious. This piece reminds us that the life of symbols transcends time. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.