XLIX Principiis obsta 1614

Roemer Visscher created this engraving, XLIX Principiis obsta, as an emblem for his collection of moral lessons, sometime between 1584 and 1620. Visscher, a grain merchant and insurance broker, was also a prominent figure in Amsterdam’s literary scene. The emblem’s Latin title, Principiis obsta, translates to “resist the beginnings.” It encapsulates the book’s larger theme about the importance of foresight. This image depicts a small break in a dike that can be easily fixed. The accompanying text warns that if such a minor issue is left unattended, it can lead to catastrophic consequences, requiring great effort and resources to resolve. In the Dutch Republic, land reclamation and dike construction were major feats of engineering. Here, the metaphor of water management speaks to broader anxieties about maintaining social order and stability in a burgeoning nation. The image resonates with the Dutch cultural emphasis on prudence, diligence, and collective responsibility. It’s a somber reflection on the ever-present tension between human effort and the overwhelming power of nature.