Rechthoekige cartouche met Alexander de Grote en Victoria 1595

This rectangular cartouche presents us with Alexander the Great and Victoria, rendered in the style of an ancient coin. The profile of Alexander, adorned with a helmet, embodies military prowess and leadership. Beside him stands Victoria, the winged goddess of victory, a symbol deeply rooted in Roman culture. The motif of Victoria, or Nike as she was known in Greece, has undergone a fascinating metamorphosis through time. Initially a divine messenger, she later became a symbol of triumph, prominently featured in Roman imperial art to legitimize power. Her image, bearing wings and a laurel wreath, appears on countless coins, statues, and monuments across the ancient world. Consider how the collective memory of Victoria, embedded in our subconscious, evokes the powerful emotions associated with success and domination. This image, recurring across millennia, highlights humanity’s enduring fascination with conquest and the psychological impact of victory, reminding us that symbols persist, evolving and adapting, yet retaining their profound resonance.