Gebeurtenissen in de twaalfde eeuw before 1896

Gerardus Johannes Bos created this print, "Events in the Twelfth Century," sometime in the 19th century. It gathers many scenes referencing the cultural memory of this time. Notice the visual prominence given to rulers on horseback, symbols of power and authority. Equestrian figures, these rulers recall classical antiquity, echoing the Roman emperors on horseback, a motif that continued through the Renaissance and beyond, each era layering new meanings onto this enduring symbol. Consider the flags and emblems; they serve as rallying points, embodying the identity and aspirations of a group. This is not merely representation; it is a psychological anchor. Observe, too, the solemnity of the religious figures. These gestures and symbols tap into a shared, often subconscious, understanding of power, faith, and community. Ultimately, this work, like the symbols it depicts, partakes in a cyclical return, a constant re-emergence and re-interpretation across the ages.