Allegorische voorstelling met de stichting van Utrecht 1729

This etching, by Jan Wandelaar, allegorically depicts the founding of Utrecht, presenting a tableau of symbolic figures laden with historical significance. Dominating the scene is the figure of Justice, scales in hand, perched above a representation of Utrecht's legal code. This harks back to classical depictions of Themis, a universal emblem of order and law. Below, we see personifications of Utrecht and the Holy Roman Emperor, symbols of civic and imperial power. Note the presence of Hercules, now subdued, and the cherubic figures below, hinting at the triumph of civilized order over primal chaos. Consider the recurring motif of Justice throughout art history, from ancient Roman sculptures to Renaissance frescoes. The scales, the sword—these are not mere attributes, but potent carriers of meaning, constantly reassessed across epochs. These symbols act as a reservoir of collective memory, passed down through generations. Such imagery taps into our subconscious, stirring deeply rooted ideas about fairness, authority, and the very essence of societal structure. These images evoke the powerful, cyclical nature of symbols that resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.