Penning van de Universiteit van Groningen, met ruimte voor de namen van de hoogleraren en het wapen van de universiteit 1705 - 1720

This unmarked print likely functioned as a commemorative piece for the University of Groningen. We can see that the print has a circular structure, organized into concentric rings around a central coat of arms. The outer rings feature names and dates, meticulously arranged to follow the circle's curvature. The interior is dominated by the heraldic emblem, sharply defined with crosshatching and symbolic elements. The printmaker has created a complex interplay between text and image, typical of the period. What intrigues me most is how this circular design functions semiotically. The names and dates, radiating outward, create a sense of historical continuity. The coat of arms anchors the university’s identity in the center. This arrangement suggests a deliberate encoding of institutional memory and authority. The artist doesn't challenge existing structures, but reinforces them. Instead, it's a symbolic representation of established power and knowledge.