Pilaar met twee brandende harten 1789

"Pillar with Two Burning Hearts" was etched by Johan Christiaan Aychmayer in 1789 as a print. This was a turbulent period marked by the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and individual rights, yet also the rise of romanticism with its focus on emotion and the self. The print, created as a bookplate, shows an image of a pillar with two burning hearts. Its caption, "Drawn by virtue," suggests an exploration into the nature of morality, and the intersection of personal integrity and social norms. The symbolism of burning hearts resonates with the era's preoccupation with emotion and personal experience. The print can be viewed as a reflection on individual morality within a changing social and political landscape, marking a shift towards recognizing the importance of personal values and emotional experiences in the broader human experience.