Medaillon met een adelaar 1772

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this medallion with an eagle, using etching, in the late 18th century. Chodowiecki lived during the Enlightenment, a period defined by radical shifts in social and political thought. Born in Poland to a family with Huguenot and Polish roots, his diverse heritage profoundly shaped his identity as an artist. His works often explored themes of morality, society, and everyday life, reflecting the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and humanism. Here, an eagle soars above a city, framed by a laurel wreath. The Latin inscription 'Cognata ad sidera tendit' translates to 'It strives towards its kindred stars', a symbolic quest for higher ideals. The image carries a sense of hope and aspiration, characteristic of the Enlightenment's optimistic view of human potential. Consider how the image resonates with notions of freedom and progress, but also with the complexities of identity and belonging in a rapidly changing world.