Kussenovertrek met het gemeentewapen van Den Haag 1693

This is a cushion cover with the municipal coat of arms of The Hague, created by Jacobus van der Gucht. The square cover, with its textured, fringed border, immediately presents a structured composition. Symmetrical elements dominate: two heraldic lions in deep red flank a central emblem featuring a stork. The juxtaposition of the regal lions with the more delicate stork creates an intriguing visual tension. Consider how the artist uses these symbols. Heraldic designs function as a visual language; they evoke notions of power, identity, and civic pride. Yet, by placing the rather awkward figure of a stork at the heart of this display, Van der Gucht destabilizes the expected solemnity. The date, '1693', anchors the work in a specific historical context, but also reminds us that meaning is not fixed. It is a product of its time, yet it remains open to our interpretation today. Notice how the interplay of colour, symmetry and symbolism invites us to question the established meanings behind such heraldic displays.