Ziet hier de afbeeldingen van keizers, keizerinnen, / Van koningen, ook van hertogen, hertoginnen, / Van prinsen, graven en baronnen onderéén, / Maar niemand leeft 'er van: zy stierven, langgeleên 1806 - 1830

This print from an unknown date by Johan Noman presents a grid of portraits, each depicting various European rulers, from emperors and empresses to dukes, counts, and barons. The work reflects the Dutch Republic’s fascination with power and lineage during a time of political and social transformation. The portraits, rendered in a somewhat uniform style, flatten the individual histories and complexities of these figures. There is a reminder of mortality in the inscription. The print invites contemplation of the emotional weight of leadership and legacy. One might consider how such a collection of images shapes public perceptions of power and authority. Does it celebrate hierarchy, or does it, perhaps subtly, question the nature of inherited status? This work functions as both a historical record and a commentary on the transience of earthly power. It encourages us to reflect on the relationship between image, identity, and the enduring human quest for recognition.