Beschrijving van de penning bij de inhuldiging van Willem IV te Breda, 1737 1737

This inscription, made in 1737, commemorates the inauguration of Willem IV in Breda. Dominating the visual field are symbolic figures: a crowned lion and a unicorn drawing a triumphal chariot, accompanied by trumpeting angels. These symbols carry deep historical and cultural significance. The lion, traditionally a symbol of strength and royalty, can be traced back to ancient Near Eastern iconography, often associated with kingship and divine power. Juxtapose this with the unicorn, a symbol of purity and grace, often linked to the Virgin Mary in medieval art. Here, these two powerful beasts, pulling the chariot together, create an intriguing dynamic. Such pairings aren't new; they echo motifs seen in triumphal processions of Roman emperors or Renaissance allegories. The recurrence of these motifs across time speaks to a collective cultural memory, where symbols evolve yet retain traces of their original power, resonating with viewers on a subconscious level. It’s a non-linear, cyclical progression of images, their meanings shifting and resurfacing throughout history.