Beleg van Breda (blad rechtsonder), 1637

Balthasar Florisz. van Berckenrode created this print in 1637, capturing the siege of Breda. At the heart, we see a map, flanked by figures: Mars, the god of war, and a female figure, possibly representing the city or the Dutch Republic. Above, an angel trumpets, heralding victory or divine intervention. The trumpet motif has ancient roots, echoing through time, from biblical proclamations to Roman triumphs. Consider the archangel Gabriel, his trumpet announcing momentous events, or even depictions of fame, always accompanied by a trumpet. Here, it embodies the potent psychological need to proclaim triumph, echoing a collective desire for recognition. But victory is never final. It is an ongoing process. The trumpet call resonates, not as a conclusion, but as a cyclical reminder that the past informs the present, and the symbols we inherit evolve, carrying with them layers of history and meaning.