Ontwerp (3) voor alliantiewapen 1743 - 1785

Jan Brandes created this design for an alliance coat of arms, rendered in pen and watercolor. The prominent symbols here – the rampant animals, helmets, and heraldic shields – speak to an aristocratic lineage, laden with tradition and social status. These motifs are not unique to this armorial design. Consider the lion, a symbol of courage and nobility, found in countless emblems across Europe and beyond. Or the helmet, which reminds us of the attributes of the ancient Greek goddess Athena. These symbols are not static; their meanings shift and evolve depending on the context. Think of the swastika: originally a symbol of good fortune, it was later appropriated and forever tainted by the Nazis. The enduring appeal of heraldic imagery is perhaps rooted in a deep-seated psychological need to assert identity and belonging. These symbols become vessels for collective memory, engaging viewers on an almost subconscious level, evoking feelings of pride, loyalty, and connection to the past. The life of a symbol is not linear, it is a cyclical progression where ancient motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in each historical context.