Vaandeldragers SPQR, plaat 7 Possibly 1530 - 1620

Nicolaas Hogenberg created this print titled "Vaandeldragers SPQR, plaat 7." The image depicts a procession of flag bearers on horseback and emerges from a historical context marked by empire, civic identity, and perhaps, a tinge of nostalgia for the grandeur of ancient Rome. The letters ‘SPQR’ emblazoned on the flags stand for "Senatus Populusque Romanus," meaning "The Roman Senate and People." It symbolizes the government of the ancient Roman Republic. In Hogenberg’s time, the evocation of SPQR would have resonated deeply, stirring notions of civic pride, law, and collective governance. The men who carry these flags participate in the performance of power. The print shows us how symbols are used to create a sense of unity and shared identity. The procession evokes a sense of pageantry and power. Yet, it also subtly reminds us of the complex relationship between past ideals and present realities. It is up to us to consider what aspects of these power dynamics still exist today.