Allegorie op de proclamatie van de Franse Republiek, 18 april 1802 1802

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman etched this allegory of the proclamation of the French Republic in 1802. Here, a grand column dominates the scene, its surface inscribed with proclamations and pronouncements. The column is reminiscent of ancient Roman triumphal columns, which functioned as potent symbols of power and authority. The gesture is echoed through history, from Trajan's Column to contemporary monuments. The text on the column speaks of Christian religion that unites the European nations, an effort to reconcile faith with the new political order. Interestingly, the column is placed in the landscape and surrounded by figures who seem to be celebrating this declaration. This act of celebrating a column demonstrates how symbols persist and are reinterpreted. The column shifts from pagan ruler to modern ideals, becoming an object loaded with layers of collective memory. This reflects our deep-seated psychological need for symbols of order and continuity during times of upheaval, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level.