Vignet met het wapen van de stad Haarlem 17th century

This is an anonymous vignette bearing the coat of arms for the city of Haarlem. It is unknown when it was made, or by whom. Historically, these civic symbols reinforced a collective identity, but also enforced boundaries of who belonged and who was excluded from its protection and privileges. Here, two heraldic lions flank a shield emblazoned with stars and a sword, topped by the motto ‘Vicit Vim Virtus’, meaning ‘virtue conquers force’. But what does ‘virtue’ really mean in the context of a city’s power, and whose force is being conquered? Consider how these symbols speak to a complex interplay of power, identity, and historical narrative. What stories are told, and whose voices are amplified or silenced within these visual representations of civic pride and authority? Do emblems such as this represent an ideal for the city to strive towards, or are they simply a reflection of the status quo?