Twee termen dragen een voetstuk met daarop een griffioen c. 1670 - 1685

This is an engraving, whose maker is now unknown, portraying two terms carrying a pedestal with a griffin on top. Consider the role of ornament during this period. Decorative elements like these weren’t merely aesthetic additions. They were deeply entwined with expressions of power and cultural values. The print reflects the identities of those in positions of authority, and those who aspired to it. The griffin, a mythological creature, symbolizes strength and vigilance. It sits above the terms, figures which represent the boundaries of territories. By featuring this hybrid creature, the artist evokes a sense of wonder and authority, inviting viewers to marvel at this demonstration of creative prowess. This ornate design, with its layering of symbolism, prompts us to reflect on the societal structures that shape our understanding of identity and the enduring quest for power, as well as the artist's longing for it.