Hercules en de koning van Rome 1812

This bronze medal, designed by Henri François Brandt, depicts Hercules and the King of Rome. Hercules, a figure of strength and virtue, dominates the scene, a club in his right hand, evoking his legendary feats. Beside him stands a wolf, a symbol deeply rooted in Roman identity, evoking the myth of Romulus and Remus. The figure of Hercules resonates throughout history; we see him in classical sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and even modern cinema. The symbolic weight of the wolf can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it represented the nurturing and protective spirit of the city's founders. The animal becomes a recurring motif, a persistent echo of Rome's origin story. Here, Hercules, with the wolf, invokes a powerful collective memory, stirring primal emotions of strength, protection, and pride. These symbols evoke a sense of continuity. They bridge the gap between past and present, reminding us how images constantly resurface, evolving through time.