Allegorische voorstelling met Portugese maagd 1716

David Coster created this allegorical print featuring a Portuguese maiden. The maiden is surrounded by symbols such as a cornucopia overflowing with coins, a heraldic angel with a trumpet, and a putto with the shield and spear of the Portuguese empire. Such emblems speak volumes about the perceived virtues and ambitions of the nation. The cornucopia, a classic symbol of abundance, is here filled with wealth, signifying prosperity, a powerful statement during times of economic uncertainty or political aspiration. The trumpet-blowing angel, a motif seen from antiquity through the Renaissance, announces not only the glory of the Portuguese kings, but also echoes the heralding of divine or momentous events. Consider, though, how the visual language shifts across centuries; the same symbol may incite fervent religious zeal in one era and patriotic fervor in another. These symbols engage us on a primal level, tapping into collective memories and subconscious yearnings for stability, prosperity, and recognition. Note the cyclical recurrence of these symbols, their meanings adapting, shifting, and resurfacing through history, each time colored by the anxieties and aspirations of a new age.