Vignet met een ruiter, een kroon en het wapen van de stad Haarlem 17th century

This is an anonymous, small-scale vignette featuring a rider, a crown, and the coat of arms of the city of Haarlem. Given the heraldic imagery, we can imagine this print circulated within a very specific community. Consider the figure of the rider—historically a symbol of power, control, and often, masculinity. What does it mean to see this figure framed within the civic identity of Haarlem? Note the phrase "Le Cavallier", below the crest. The word "cavalier" evokes images of noblemen, chivalry, and courtly love. But this image also summons a set of questions about who is included, and excluded, from the narrative of Haarlem. Historically, such imagery served to reinforce a specific social order, but today, perhaps it invites us to reflect on the complexities of belonging and representation. How do symbols of the past inform, and perhaps challenge, our understanding of community today?