Romeinse munten van keizers 1642

This print depicting Roman coins was made by Theodoor van Thulden in the 17th century. It offers us a fascinating insight into how the classical world was received in the artist's time. The image creates meaning through visual codes that are rooted in the historical associations of ancient Rome. The selection and arrangement of these coins are not accidental. The coins depict Roman emperors and various symbols of power and authority. Van Thulden lived and worked in the Spanish Netherlands, a region deeply influenced by classical antiquity and Humanist scholarship. The work speaks to the 17th-century fascination with the classical world, but also suggests how the imagery of power transcends time. Understanding an artwork like this involves delving into a wide range of historical sources: archaeological reports, numismatic studies, and the biographies of artists and patrons. Art is contingent on social and institutional context.