Erepoorten XII-XIV te Den Haag, 1747 1766

These designs for triumphal arches in The Hague were etched by Albertus Frese in 1747, each a spectacle of power and civic pride. The arches, adorned with crowns, heraldic symbols, and decorative figures, evoke ancient Roman gateways, symbols of military victory and imperial authority. Consider the crown, a motif of sovereignty since antiquity. We see its echoes in the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors, the diadems of Byzantine rulers, and even in the elaborate headwear of indigenous cultures. Each iteration carries the weight of its time, yet all speak to a primal human impulse: the desire to signify supreme authority. These triumphal arches, though temporary structures, served as potent reminders of the existing social order. They tap into a collective memory of power, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It's a visual language of authority, one that has evolved through millennia.