Tekstblad bij de prent van het beleg van Den Bosch door Frederik Hendrik, 1629 1629

This print from 1629 by Jodocus Hondius II depicts the siege of Den Bosch by Frederik Hendrik. The image is dominated by a detailed map, but note the elaborate cartouche. Here, figures surround the title, announcing the siege by the Prince of Orange. Such imagery recalls the classical tradition of triumphal arches, adapted to celebrate military victories. Yet, look closely. These aren't Roman soldiers but contemporary figures, hinting at a deliberate attempt to link the present with the glory of the past. This motif appears across Renaissance and Baroque art, from triumphal entries to the decoration of state buildings. It is a way to legitimize power through historical association. The emotional resonance of such imagery is powerful, tapping into a collective memory of triumph and order. The human desire for connection to the past is timeless, finding expression in symbols that transcend historical change.