Officieren leggen de eed af bij admiraal De Winter, 1810 1810 - 1812

This print by François Anne David depicts officers swearing an oath to Admiral De Winter in 1810. Dominating the upper register, we see an eagle with a halo, a powerful symbol of authority and divine sanction, reminiscent of the Roman Empire’s eagles that signified imperial power. The eagle, a motif carried through time, finds echoes in various contexts—from religious iconography to national emblems. Consider its recurrence; In ancient mythology, the eagle was often associated with supreme gods, a tradition adopted and transformed by successive cultures. The psychological weight of such symbols is immense. Their repeated use taps into a collective memory, evoking feelings of awe, respect, or fear. Here, in 1810, the artist uses the eagle to convey the might and legitimacy of the admiral and, by extension, the state. Notice how it resurfaces, reshaped but still potent, a testament to its enduring cultural impact.