Ter vereeuwiging der volgende gebeurtenis deed de regering der stad Hoorn dit vers in steen, aan de westerpoort uithouwen (...) 1819 - 1840

This print, made by Alexander Cranendoncq, commemorates an event in Hoorn. The dominant images here are scenes of people fleeing, soldiers marching, and moments of rescue. These reflect themes of turmoil, conflict, and salvation. The motif of flight, visible in multiple panels, echoes throughout art history as a symbol of fear, escape, and the search for safety. We can trace this back to biblical stories like the Flight into Egypt, where Mary and Joseph flee with the infant Jesus to escape Herod’s persecution. The psychological weight of this image is palpable, tapping into our primal instincts of self-preservation and protection of loved ones. Consider how the act of fleeing is depicted differently across time. In classical art, it might be a heroic escape, whereas here, it is a desperate act born of conflict. This transformation speaks to the cyclical nature of history, where the same motifs reappear, evolving and adapting to new contexts, engaging viewers on a subconscious level and reminding us of the continuities in human experience.