Kermis-prent / Willem de Vde 1761 - 1804

This print of Willem de Vde was made by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont. Enclosed within a laurel wreath we see Willem astride a rearing horse, a symbol of power and authority. The image of a ruler on horseback has roots stretching back to antiquity, evoking the equestrian statues of Roman emperors, a motif revived in the Renaissance to glorify rulers. Think of Marcus Aurelius, his statue a testament to imperial might. The horse, often seen as a symbol of raw, untamed energy, becomes an extension of the rider’s will, representing control and dominion. This interplay between man and beast speaks to our subconscious desires for mastery. The wreath itself, a symbol of victory and honor, further amplifies the message of triumph. The collective memory of such images shapes our understanding of leadership. It is a visual echo reverberating through centuries.