'Bonus princeps salus populi / Un bon prince est le salut du peuple' 1715 - 1719

This engraving by Charles Dupuis presents us with a scene steeped in Roman ideals: "Bonus Princeps Salus Populi"—the good prince is the health of the people. Notice the central figure receiving supplication, a motif echoed throughout history, from ancient reliefs to Renaissance paintings, illustrating the ruler as both powerful and merciful. The act of kneeling, a gesture of submission, has roots stretching back to ancient rituals, signifying respect, fealty, or even desperation before a higher power. Yet, consider how this gesture evolves; in religious contexts, kneeling signifies devotion, while politically, it can denote subjugation. Such iconography taps into our collective memory. The power dynamic, ingrained in our psyche, evokes feelings of authority, dependence, and the eternal human quest for leadership and protection. Observe the cyclical progression of these symbols. The "good prince" embodies a hope for stability and order, a concept that resurfaces time and again, reflecting our enduring need for governance, whether divinely ordained or democratically chosen.