Wapenschild geflankeerd door putti 1723

This etching by Bernard Picart presents a crowned coat of arms, or escutcheon, flanked by putti. The lions on the shield, symbols of courage and nobility, evoke centuries of heraldic tradition, their lineage stretching back to medieval banners. These motifs are not static; observe how the putto on the right, with his compass and globe, echoes classical depictions of Urania, the muse of astronomy. The image speaks of reason and scientific exploration, a dialogue between ancient wisdom and Enlightenment ideals. Even the caduceus, held by the sphinx at the bottom left, blends the classical world with the modern. Such symbols undergo constant metamorphosis, shaped by the collective psyche of successive eras. Each age reinterprets the past, imbuing these enduring images with new emotional resonance. What might these symbols mean to us today?