Kardinaal Portocarrero en de slag bij Malplaquet, 1709 1712 - 1715

In this print by Johann Jakob Kleinschmidt, observe the allegorical figures flanking a scene from the Battle of Malplaquet. To the left, we see figures representing virtues, their garments classical, their demeanor mournful. Opposite, figures cloaked in shadow carry torches and shields, evoking fate and the harsh realities of war. This juxtaposition is not new; recall the Greek tragedies, where the chorus embodies the emotional weight of events, or even earlier Egyptian tomb paintings, with gods of life and death. The torch, held aloft, is particularly potent. It symbolizes not only destruction but also, paradoxically, enlightenment. Think of Prometheus, gifting fire to mankind. Here, it flickers, a reminder of the ephemeral nature of glory. These symbols are vessels carrying the weight of human experience, echoing through time. The battle scene is a potent symbol with deep emotional power, engaging the viewers on a deep subconscious level. Such visual language transcends the immediate event. It’s a cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings, forever imprinted in our collective consciousness.