De verovering van de stad Palembang in 1659 1779 - 1805

This is Dirk de Jong’s engraving of "The Conquest of Palembang in 1659," capturing a pivotal moment in Dutch colonial history. The walled city, dominated by a central tower, is a potent symbol of power and control, reminiscent of ancient Roman fortifications or medieval strongholds. Notice the strategic placement of the tower, echoing the ziggurats of Mesopotamia, both as a display of authority and as a reference point to the city's center, physically and ideologically. The act of conquest itself, depicted through the positioning of the armed troops, is a visual metaphor for dominance, echoing scenes of triumph found in ancient friezes. Consider, too, how these motifs of conquest resurface in later artworks. The emotional power embedded in such depictions of force continues to engage viewers on a subconscious level, underscoring our complex relationship with power, history, and memory. In this way, the themes presented here resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, in an ongoing dialogue between past and present.