Blad M: twintigste en eenentwintigste praalwagen, 1767 1767

Lieven Wouters created this print depicting floats in 1767. Note the recurrence of exotic animals: lions, a rhinoceros, and even a crocodile-like creature. They're not merely decorative; they embody power, dominion, and the allure of the unknown. The lion, for instance, has long symbolized royalty and strength, echoing through heraldry and mythology across cultures. Consider its evolution from the fearsome guardian of ancient Near Eastern temples to the emblem of European monarchies. The rhinoceros, less common but equally potent, represents the exotic, untamed forces of nature. These images tap into our collective memory, resonating with primal instincts. Wouters is not simply displaying animals; he’s engaging with centuries of cultural symbolism, inviting us to confront our understanding of power, nature, and the enduring legacy of images. The symbolism doesn't simply fade; it resurfaces, transformed and reimagined, in an endless dance across time.