Allegorische voorstelling van de stad Rome 1655 - 1708

Romeyn de Hooghe etched this allegorical representation of the city of Rome. At its heart, we see a figure of Roma, helmeted and regally enthroned, bearing symbols of power and authority. Consider her helmet, a clear nod to Rome's martial strength and the protective, guiding influence of Minerva. But what stirs the soul is the inclusion of the she-wolf, an ancient and powerful symbol. The image of the wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome, resonates across millennia. This symbol, passed down through history, carries the weight of Rome's origin story. The she-wolf is a primal image of nurture and ferocity, a potent combination that speaks to the very essence of Rome's character. Here, she evokes a psychological landscape where fear and fascination intertwine. This ancient symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.