Inschrijving voor de Compagnie van beleningen Possibly 1720 - 1729

This is a share certificate etched by Nicolaas Verkolje in 1720. Above the bureaucratic language of the document, observe the heraldic crest, flanked by two lions. The lion, a symbol of courage and nobility, has ancient roots, appearing in mythologies across the world. Consider its echo in the Nemean lion, defeated by Hercules in classical myth, or the Lion of Judah, a symbol of power and kingship in Judeo-Christian tradition. The image of the animal is not just an emblem of royalty but is deeply rooted in the collective consciousness, embodying primal strength and leadership. This rampant lion, a recurring motif, connects us to the past. Here it is in the service of finance, a potent symbol of the shifting allegiances of images across time. The image of the lion is never static. Its cyclical reappearance embodies both continuity and transformation, reflecting our ever-evolving cultural landscape.