Veiligheid 1663 - 1738

This etching by Jacques-Antoine Friquet de Vauroze depicts "Safety," or "Securitas," as the Romans called her. The goddess sits confidently atop a defeated lion, cradling a cornucopia overflowing with flowers. The lion, a symbol of strength and courage, here embodies the subdued forces of chaos and danger. The cornucopia, an ancient symbol of abundance and nourishment, stretches back to the Greek myth of Amalthea, the goat whose horn provided unending sustenance to Zeus. We see versions of this in depictions of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune, connecting security with prosperity. The column in the background, often associated with stability and permanence, can be seen in other works celebrating victory. Consider how this image, rooted in classical antiquity, reflects a deep-seated human desire for safety and abundance, emotions so powerful that they transcend time. It is a symbol passed down through history, resurfacing in various guises, reminding us of our collective memory and the enduring quest for security.