Het Volksbewind Gevestigd, decoratie op het Amstelveld, 1795 (uitleg) 1795

This print by Dirk Meland Langeveld, made in 1795, allegorically depicts the establishment of the Batavian Republic. Central to the image is the Dutch Maiden. Crowned with a civic wreath, she embodies liberty and equality, holding the hat of freedom and the scales of justice. Beneath her, the Dutch lion, symbol of the old Batavian power, rises defiantly. This bold stance is an echo of ancient virtues, reminiscent of Roman personifications of strength and resilience. The lion motif, powerful yet subdued, connects to the idea of the Republic. Note the seven children, representing the provinces, adorned with oak wreaths, approaching her. The oak, overshadowing them, speaks of endurance, a visual bridge to classical symbols of strength like the Roman oak crown. Here, the collective subconscious manifests—a longing for stability and continuity amidst revolutionary change. The arrangement taps into deep-seated cultural memories. It is a powerful engagement. The image underscores the cyclical nature of symbols, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in shifting contexts.