Panel 1777

Georg Henner made this panel depicting an allegory of Europe sometime between the 18th and 19th centuries. In the foreground, we see figures draped in classical robes, and at their feet, a globe and a cartouche that reads ‘Europa’. The raised arm of the figure looming above, a motif reminiscent of classical orators and leaders, speaks volumes. Think of the statue of Augustus of Prima Porta, where a similar gesture signifies command and authority. Yet, the context shifts. Here, the gesture, combined with the classical garb, evokes not just power, but also the weight of history and the continuity of civilization. The image also evokes a sense of timelessness. This allegorical representation taps into a collective memory, a longing for a glorious past, even as it hints at a subconscious anxiety about the transient nature of power. In this continuous cycle of symbols, we see how gestures and motifs resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.