Wapenschild met daarnaast een vrouw met de vlag van de Zeeuwse kamer van de VOC 1726

Bernard Picart created this print of the coat of arms with a woman holding the flag of the Zeeland Chamber of the VOC. The shield, a visual emblem of power and identity, displays a tree and a bird; these are motifs that resonate deeply, linking the natural world with human ambition. Note the motto written on the ribbon that encircles the stork: "Sans Repos," meaning "Without Rest." This emblem encapsulates the relentless pursuit of wealth and expansion that defined the Dutch East India Company. The image of the stork is found in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs as a symbol for the soul, a recurring motif that undergoes constant metamorphosis, adapting to new cultural landscapes. Similarly, the idea of "striving without rest" echoes in our collective consciousness, a tension between ambition and the subconscious desire for tranquility. The image of the stork acts on a profound, subconscious level, evoking primal urges related to exploration, colonization, and a restless quest for meaning. The flag, the tree and the bird create a powerful emotional experience for the viewer, connecting the personal and the universal, as it triggers a deep, unspoken dialogue between the present and the echoes of history.