Belgische Revolutie c. 1822 - 1849

This print by Schalekamp & Van de Grampel, produced in Amsterdam, depicts scenes from the Belgian Revolution. Dominating the visual field is the figure of the military leader on horseback, a potent symbol of authority and control deeply rooted in Western iconography. Consider this figure in contrast to the equestrian statues of Roman emperors. The pose, the power projected through the horse, the symbolic control of the rider – it’s all there, echoing through the ages. Yet here, the narrative shifts. The flag, raised in defiance, challenges this established power. It's a symbolic disruption of the old order. The emotional weight of such symbols is immense. A flag embodies collective identity and aspirations. The horse and rider embody the tension between power and liberation, engaging our subconscious recognition of the cyclical progression of revolution and change, as these symbols reappear, transformed, across history.