Plate 2 c. 17th century

This is Plate 2, an engraving by Stefano della Bella, created in the 17th century. At its heart, the image presents a heraldic crest, crowned and flanked by allegorical figures amidst swirling foliage. These are not mere decorations; they are potent symbols. Consider the putti, or cherubic figures, often associated with love and innocence since antiquity, yet here they intertwine with more bestial forms. We can see a bear on the right and what could be a lion on the left. This juxtaposition reminds us of the constant play between the sacred and the profane, the human and the animal, a tension echoed in the works of antiquity, where gods often took animal forms to express their raw power. These motifs reappear across centuries, shifting in meaning yet retaining their emotional core. The bear, a symbol of strength and courage, also embodies untamed nature. The heraldic crest crowned atop, usually emblems of familial or institutional power, often invoke a psychological desire for order and legacy. Such symbols are not static; they evolve, mirroring our collective psyche. As we gaze upon this print, we are not just viewing an image, but engaging with a visual language that speaks to our deepest cultural memories.