Jacobus II werpt de voorstellen voor een vrij parlement in het vuur en vlucht, 1688 1689

Pieter Pickaert's etching from 1688 depicts James II casting proposals for a free parliament into the fire, and fleeing. Dominant here is the symbol of fire—an ancient motif that is not only destructive but transformative. Consider how fire, since antiquity, has represented purification and renewal. Yet, here, it symbolizes the obliteration of democratic ideals, an act of repression. This action echoes the tales of autocrats throughout history, from emperors burning books to modern dictators censoring dissent. It reflects a primal fear of knowledge and change. The image also showcases a hasty exit: the king's flight. This speaks to a deeper psychological narrative of fear and self-preservation. It is a recurring theme in art and history, embodying the collapse of power and the frailty of human ambition. This composition engages viewers on a subconscious level, triggering an awareness of mortality and the ephemeral nature of authority. Observe how the image serves as a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of history, where symbols like fire and flight resurface, evolving yet retaining their primal impact across centuries.