Uitgeversprospectus voor een prentserie met de oprichtingsceremonie van de 'Order of the Bath' before 1730

This prospectus for a print series by John Pine depicts the founding ceremony of the ‘Order of the Bath’. Dominating the image is the chivalric shield, a potent symbol of protection and honor deeply rooted in European martial tradition. The shield motif echoes across time, from the bronze shields of Mycenaean warriors to the heraldic emblems of medieval knights. In each instance, the shield transcends its practical function to embody ideals of courage and defense. Its circular form, reminiscent of the sun, suggests cyclical renewal and enduring strength. Observe how this symbol, charged with centuries of cultural memory, evokes feelings of ancestral pride and the eternal recurrence of archetypal struggles. Such imagery engages the viewer on a subconscious level, tapping into a collective, inherited psyche where the past continually informs the present. The chivalric shield reappears again and again, each time reflecting the evolving values and anxieties of the societies that adopt it.