Triumphal arch with three crowns at top, a fountain in the distance 1726

This etching by Carl Hårleman presents a triumphal arch, adorned with three crowns at its apex, a fountain subtly placed in the distance. Here, we observe symbols not just of power, but of a lineage striving for legitimacy through visual assertion. The motif of the triumphal arch itself echoes ancient Roman traditions, adapted through the Renaissance and Baroque periods to celebrate military victories or honor rulers, and can be traced back to ancient Egypt and its pylons. Note how the crowns above seem to signal something beyond mere earthly power, hinting at divine sanction. The triumphal arch isn't merely a static monument, but a stage upon which power performs. The presence of angelic figures and the central statue within the archway enhance this interplay between earthly glory and divine right. Through such symbols, Hårleman evokes a potent, if subconscious, blend of aspiration and authority.