Allegorie op Venetië en Genua 1779

This allegorical print of Venice and Genoa was created around 1712-1784 by Simon Fokke, rendered with etching and engraving. At its heart, the image shows a female figure flanked by putti as she holds up a banner. Notice how the putti, these cherubic figures, aren't merely decorative; their roots trace back to classical antiquity, where they symbolized divine love. Over time, their significance evolved, particularly during the Renaissance, where they were often used to evoke a sense of heavenly innocence, and also as a bridge between the divine and the earthly. Observe the recurring symbol of the angel. Originally a divine messenger, the angel embodies both hope and judgment, a figure that transcends cultures and epochs. Its continued presence, however, isn't merely a conscious artistic choice. It's a resurgence, a deep-seated cultural memory manifesting in visual form, demonstrating the power of the image to tap into the collective unconscious and engage viewers on a subconscious level.