Intocht van Maria de Médicis te Amsterdam (titelplaat), 1638 1639

Pieter Nolpe created this title page print, "The Entry of Maria de' Medici into Amsterdam", in 1638. Notice the symmetrical composition, where heraldic lions frame Amsterdam's coat of arms, topped with an ornate crown. The stark contrast of black ink on the white paper amplifies the graphic quality of the design. The lion is not merely a decorative element, but part of a visual language, a semiotic system of signs where the lions signify strength and nobility, mirroring the power and prestige associated with both Amsterdam and the visiting Queen Mother. The three crosses on the shield, rendered in a simple geometric pattern, act as a visual anchor. The inscription below, rendered in precise lettering, adds another layer of meaning. Nolpe’s print doesn’t just commemorate an event; it constructs a visual representation of power, status and civic pride. It is a testament to the period's engagement with visual codes and their capacity to convey complex political messages.