Kleederdragten / Zes en twintigste plaat. / Romeinen c. 1843 - 1920

Andreas Müller captured Roman garments in this undated print. Symbols of power, virility, and virtue are interwoven into the fabrics of Roman life. Take for example, the laurel wreath worn by the central figure on the top left. The evergreen wreath, associated with Apollo, was bestowed upon victors as a crown of glory. This symbol transcends time, echoing in Renaissance paintings where poets and heroes are crowned, and even in modern-day academic honors. But consider how the wreath has shifted. Once a symbol of divine endorsement and martial triumph, it evolves to signify intellectual prowess and artistic merit. This is the dynamism of symbols: ancient iconography reborn, repurposed, carrying echoes of the past into the present. These symbols touch a primeval chord within us, a link to collective memory that resonates across epochs. The artist has created a powerful emotional engagement, drawing viewers into the perennial dance of symbols across time. As we stand before this print, we are reminded that symbols are never static.