Blad I: veertiende, vijftiende en zestiende praalwagen, 1767 1767

Pieter Wauters created this print in 1767, depicting several elaborate parade floats. Dominating these scenes are recurrent motifs of abundance and triumph. We see figures adorned with laurel wreaths—symbols of victory dating back to ancient Greece—and lush vegetation, alluding to prosperity and fertility. Consider the recurring palm tree. In antiquity, it represented triumph and eternal life, often depicted in Roman art to celebrate military victories. Yet, observe how its meaning evolves; in later Christian iconography, the palm becomes associated with martyrdom and spiritual victory. Its presence here in 18th-century parade floats suggests yet another layer of meaning, perhaps alluding to colonial aspirations, connecting back to ancient desires of power and conquest. The floats evoke a deep-seated human desire for spectacle. This work is an expression of collective memory, subconscious desires, and aspirations, engaging viewers on a primal level.