Overwinning c. 1585 - 1590

"Overwinning," a print by Philips Galle, depicts the Roman goddess Victoria, who personifies victory. Galle was a prominent Flemish engraver who produced a number of engravings for the illustrated book "The Triumph of Caesar" published in Antwerp in 1585. This image from that book shows the goddess Victoria, holding a laurel wreath in one hand and a palm branch in the other. She stands victorious over a defeated serpent at her feet. The inscription in Latin below the image translates to "The wickedness of the world is destroyed. As a victor, I bear the palm and wear the laurel wreath." This engraving is a fine example of how Galle used his masterful etching skills to represent the Roman goddess of victory.