Tekening van een bokaal met een voorstelling van de verovering van Coevorden, 1672 1700 - 1863

G. Frijling’s drawing from 1672 depicts a ceremonial goblet celebrating the conquest of Coevorden. Note the crowned lions flanking a shield, emblems of power and sovereignty, harking back to heraldic traditions of medieval Europe, symbols of strength and dominion. On the other side, the fortress of Coevorden rises, a star-shaped bastion of military might, its capture a scene of triumphant conquest. The fortress, a symbol of defense, is juxtaposed here with its defeat, a testament to the transient nature of power. The lion, as an icon, transcends borders, appearing in various forms from ancient Mesopotamia to Renaissance Europe. Its symbolic weight shifts—a protector, a king, a symbol of pride—yet its primal association with power remains. This constant return and reinterpretation of the lion speaks to a deeply ingrained psychological need for symbols of strength. The emotions evoked here tap into our deepest, subconscious understanding of power, fear, and respect. Thus, these symbols echo through time, their meanings evolving, yet their emotional core enduring.