Militie trekt Haarlem binnen, 1750 1751

Simon Fokke's etching made in 1750, depicts the militia entering Haarlem. The organized procession over the bridge is a potent symbol of civic order and authority, harking back to Roman military triumphs. The act of crossing a bridge is itself symbolic. Bridges represent transitions—a link between two states or realms. Consider the "Ponte Molle" in Rome, where Constantine's victory changed the course of history. Here, the militia's measured march across the bridge into Haarlem suggests a controlled assertion of power, not unlike the ceremonial entries of rulers into conquered cities. The presence of the crowd watching from the banks evokes a sense of collective memory. The scene stirs subconscious associations of security, protection, and perhaps even a latent desire for strong leadership, engaging viewers on a deeply emotional level. The image has resurfaced in our psyche, an echo of past entries and displays of power, continually evolving, and acquiring new resonance within the ever-shifting landscape of history.