Omlijsting met Rechtvaardigheid zittend op de Hollandse leeuw. 1760

This print by Noach van der Meer, created around 1760, showcases an allegorical scene, rich with symbols. Justice, seated upon the Dutch Lion, dominates the lower portion, holding scales and a sword, emblems of equilibrium and authority. This motif of Justice is ancient, traceable to classical depictions of Themis or Justitia. But consider how its representation has been transformed. Originally a divine figure ensuring cosmic harmony, she became intertwined with earthly governance, embodying civic virtue and the rule of law. Here, her placement atop the Dutch Lion infuses the concept with national identity, a potent symbol for the aspiring Doctor of Law, Arnoldus Diedericus. The recurrence of such iconography reveals a collective memory at play. Through repeated imagery, we subconsciously reinforce societal values. Justice, therefore, is not merely a concept, but a deeply internalized ideal, manifesting through art, shaping our perceptions of power and order. This image, therefore, resonates as a cyclical reaffirmation of enduring principles within ever-changing contexts.