Genuese triomfpoort (voorzijde), 1599 1599

Pieter van der Borcht's engraving depicts a triumphal arch in Genoa, Italy, sometime around 1599. These arches were erected for celebrations of power, often to commemorate military victories or honor rulers. Borcht’s arch is a spectacle of wealth and authority. Visually, the architecture is laden with classical references, featuring columns and statues, which evoke the grandeur of the Roman Empire, all meant to legitimize and magnify the power of the Genoese Republic. Notice the figures adorning the arch: they represent the diverse social classes and roles within Genoese society, each contributing to the city's economic and political success. The flags bearing the St. George's Cross speak to Genoa’s significant maritime power and its influence in trade routes. However, it also silently acknowledges the complex relationships between city-states and their dependencies. Consider this image as a symbol of a society grappling with its identity, caught between celebrating its achievements and negotiating its place in a changing world.