Allegorie met Victoria en Roem 1498 - 1500

Jacopo de' Barbari's print presents us with two female figures, embodying Victoria and Roem, or Victory and Fame. The winged figure crowned with what looks like a horn alludes to Fame, carrying echoes of classical depictions where horns, trumpets, or laurel wreaths signify triumph and public recognition. Consider how Victory, often symbolized with wings since antiquity, evolved from Nike in Greek lore to Victoria in Roman culture, each bearing witness to conquests and achievements across millennia. This symbol is not static. It is a palimpsest of cultural memory. The very act of depicting Victoria and Roem together speaks to a Renaissance fascination with harmonizing classical ideals with contemporary values. But what propels this image beyond mere allegory? It is the subconscious desire to immortalize achievements. Fame and victory are not merely concepts but deeply rooted aspirations. The print serves as a reminder that symbols evolve through time. Their meanings enriched by each culture that embraces them.