Wapen vastgehouden door twee leeuwen 1760

Curator: Here we have "Wapen vastgehouden door twee leeuwen," a pen and ink drawing created around 1760 by Abraham Delfos. It's quite an elaborate crest! Editor: It strikes me as so... formal. The symmetrical composition, the heraldic lions. There's a real sense of established power here, even just at a glance. Curator: Indeed. The piece adheres to the Baroque style, showcasing an ornate and complex design typical for that era. Notice the symbolic elements, such as the crown atop the shield. These details communicated lineage and status within the European aristocracy. Editor: Right. But looking closer, the lions…they seem almost strained, holding this weighty shield. It makes me wonder about the burden of maintaining these structures of power, the labor involved. Also, "Per Aspera Ad Astra", the motto at the bottom of the drawing, translated as "Through hardship to the stars," rings hollow given the already-privileged context of a coat of arms. Curator: I appreciate you noticing that tension. Heraldry served a clear purpose in visually reinforcing social hierarchies, but the motto is aspirational. The choice of lions is no accident. The lion symbolizes courage, nobility and royalty, a visual trope very common across the world. Editor: Definitely a powerful, charged symbol, carefully curated for a specific audience. And considering the historical moment - 1760, just before the major revolutions - it's like this image is trying to cement a certain social order. The drawing technique makes the image even more forceful. Curator: Yes, Delfos masterfully employs fine lines to create a depth and texture, imbuing the lions with life and vigor, the geometric shapes of the coat of arms reinforce ideas of order. His work existed in a time of tremendous social change and Delfos captured the cultural climate. Editor: Ultimately, this image really prompts consideration for the purpose that this was used for; its message and impact at the time, and how we interpret such displays of power and status today. The motto can feel ironically out-of-touch now, given the history of inequality represented by such symbols. Curator: It allows us to examine the visual language through which authority established itself and what messages from the past we continue to carry into the future. A single drawing holding within itself a world of meanings.