Emblem Drawing ("I rule everything") 1591 - 1631

Jacob Matham created this emblem drawing, titled "I rule everything," using pen and gray ink, and gray wash on paper. Matham was working in the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by both immense economic prosperity and stark social hierarchies. The drawing depicts allegorical figures towering over a crowd of people who appear to be members of the clergy and other authority figures. The naked figures challenge traditional notions of power, particularly in relation to the church and state. The French inscription at the bottom, "Tout m'obeit" or "Everything obeys me," boldly asserts a claim to universal authority. Yet the nakedness of the figures simultaneously implies vulnerability. One can only wonder whether Matham was exploring ideas of religious authority, class, and power or whether he was interested in developing alternative narratives. This emblem drawing encourages us to consider the complexities of power, obedience, and the subtle ways they can be visually represented.