Penning met een landschap waarover de zon haar stralen uitstort 1728

Bernard Picart created this etching, "Penning met een landschap waarover de zon haar stralen uitstort," sometime between 1683 and 1733. Picart lived during an era of significant social and political change, including the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason and individualism. The radiant sun dominates the center, casting light over a serene landscape. This emblem is encircled by the Latin phrase "Foecundis Ignibus Ardet" — “it burns with fertile fires.” The flags, musical instruments, and foliage around the central image speak to cultural and societal values of the time, specifically around nationhood and cultural achievements. However, such idyllic scenes often mask underlying social inequalities. The prosperity suggested by the image was not universally shared, reflecting the deep class divisions of the period. Picart, as a member of the privileged class, may have offered a romanticized view, one that perhaps intentionally ignored the struggles of marginalized communities. Reflecting on this image, we might ask ourselves whose stories are not being told and how the pursuit of enlightenment can cast long shadows.