Mannenkop met helm gedecoreerd, met Romulus en Remus 1591 - 1615

Jacques de Bie created this print of a helmeted head, surrounded by a decorative border, sometime in the early to mid-17th century. This etching is an allegory of the antique, but how might we read its meaning through the visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations of that time? Prints like this one circulated widely in Europe and they were often used to project power. Here, a Roman-style helmet lends authority to the figure within. Note the scene of Romulus and Remus suckling from a wolf etched onto the helmet. The legendary founders of Rome were a popular motif that resonated across Europe as emblems of power. Meanwhile, the border comprises a series of coins. What do these coins tell us about the role of money and exchange within the projection of power? To understand its place in the world, we can analyze the print through close visual study, as well as an understanding of the political and economic systems of 17th-century Europe.