John Law en anderen torsen hun schulden op hun schouders, 1720 1720

This anonymous print from 1720, now in the Rijksmuseum, portrays John Law and others burdened under the weight of their debts, evoking the myth of Atlas. The figures, reminiscent of the Titan condemned to hold up the celestial sphere, are seen struggling under a clouded sky. This image resonates with the ancient burden of responsibility, echoing through time from classical antiquity. Consider how, in earlier depictions, Atlas stood as a symbol of enduring strength, a celestial guardian. Here, however, that strength is twisted into a symbol of economic collapse, of financial burdens crushing individuals. The shift in meaning is palpable. The weight of the world, once a cosmic duty, has become a personal, crushing debt. This inversion speaks to the fragile nature of human constructs, like economies, and the psychological toll they can exact. Observe the emotional undercurrent – the strained postures, the despair in their gestures. This print is a stark reminder of how even the most enduring symbols can be reshaped by the anxieties of a new era, leaving us to ponder the cyclical nature of history and the burdens we inherit.