Stedenmaagd van Haarlem 1741 - 1795

Editor: This is "Stedenmaagd van Haarlem," an engraving made sometime between 1741 and 1795 by Cornelis van Noorde, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as a somewhat formal depiction, with all the figures posed so deliberately. What stands out to you in terms of imagery and symbolism? Curator: The ‘Stedenmaagd’, or City Virgin, is herself a powerful symbol. Notice how she's enthroned, almost like a classical goddess, bearing witness to the fruits of Haarlem – represented by the industrious cherubs and the sailing ship in the distance. She’s surrounded by symbols of prosperity and learning, referencing the humanist tradition. Editor: Yes, she seems to embody both civic pride and a connection to classical learning. And those symbols are abundant here. I suppose they offer some stability as metaphors. Curator: Exactly. In turbulent times, allegories were a powerful way to express collective identity and aspirations. The City Virgin offers a sense of cultural continuity. Look at the Haarlem coat-of-arms held aloft, flanked by lions, and tell me, what might those symbols evoke for the viewer in that era? Editor: Protection, power, maybe a link to their historical roots? Curator: Precisely. They solidify Haarlem's unique character. We could look at this print and find ways that those symbols have evolved through the present day. Editor: It’s interesting to consider how these images acted as almost a shared language. The image blends local pride with these more universal concepts to me, now.