Verovering van Rome, 1527, nr. 3 1555 - 1556

This engraving by Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert, made around 1527, captures the Sack of Rome. Dominating the foreground, we see soldiers scaling the city walls, a chaotic scene punctuated by a fallen figure, presumably the Duke of Bourbon, whose death preceded the city's fall. Notice the ladder, an ancient symbol of ascent and ambition, here turned to a tool of invasion. The act of climbing has long been associated with reaching for higher knowledge, but here, it represents conquest and destruction. This motif echoes in earlier depictions of sieges and battles, from ancient Roman reliefs to medieval tapestries, each time carrying a mix of aspiration and aggression. Consider the emotional weight of this image. The fear and violence of the event are palpable, engaging us on a visceral level. This portrayal taps into a collective memory of conflict and the psychological impact of such events. The symbols are not static; they evolve, reflecting the cyclical nature of history and the enduring human capacity for both creation and destruction.