De Vernietiging van de Oude Constitutie, decoratie op de Botermarkt, 1795 1795

A. Verkerk created this watercolor depicting the decoration on the Botermarkt in 1795, dominated by classical motifs symbolizing the destruction of the old order. Notice the allegorical figures: Justice stands blindfolded, balanced by a warrior representing Strength. These figures, rooted in antiquity, are not merely aesthetic choices; they evoke a lineage of moral and civic virtues. But consider the wheel at the center—a symbol of fortune, or in this context, its violent reversal. Wheels have appeared throughout history, from ancient Roman depictions of Fortuna to medieval emblems of cyclical time, suggesting that the rise and fall of powers is an inherent part of the human condition. This motif is particularly relevant in the context of revolution, highlighting the cyclical nature of history, an emotional and psychological engagement that taps into our collective memory of societal transformations, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings.