Reproductie van een prent van ornamenten, ontworpen door Théodore de Bry before 1881

This reproduction of ornament prints designed by Théodore de Bry, of unknown date and origin, reflects a time of immense social and political change in Europe. De Bry, a prominent engraver and publisher during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, lived in an era defined by the Reformation, religious wars, and the rise of European colonialism. These ornaments were not merely decorative. In fact, they were tools used to communicate power, status, and cultural identity. The shields within each frame were specifically designed for the heraldry and emblems of nobility. But if we look beyond the surface, we might consider how these symbols of authority have been, and continue to be, used to legitimize social hierarchies. Consider how the circulation of these prints, with their embedded symbols of power, shaped perceptions and reinforced social structures. Think about the stories that weren't told, the voices that went unrepresented. What does it mean to create art that continues to reverberate across history, prompting questions about who holds power and whose stories get told?