Allegorie op de Oostenrijkse successieoorlog, 1742 1742

This anonymous etching from 1742, now in the Rijksmuseum, allegorically depicts the War of the Austrian Succession. The dominant symbols are, of course, animals, and the symbolism here is direct: the eagle, representing power, is surrounded by other creatures vying for its feathers. This plucking of feathers recalls similar imagery in earlier emblem books, where the stripping of a bird symbolizes the loss of power or status. But here, the image is more complex. The animals seem engaged in a chaotic struggle, their beaks and claws extended in a frenzy of ambition. The scales of justice are also present. The scales, held by a lion, a traditional symbol of justice and courage, can be traced back to ancient Egyptian beliefs and the weighing of souls. This visual chaos stirs a primal sense of unease. We are confronted with the base instincts of power and greed, emotions that, through collective memory, resonate deeply within our psyches. The print reminds us that the pursuit of power is a cyclical drama, forever reenacted on the stage of human history.