Verovering van Mons, 1709 1712 - 1715

This print, "Verovering van Mons, 1709," by Johann August Corvinus, presents us with a victorious scene laden with symbols of power and conquest. Dominating the composition, the allegorical figure of Fame trumpets the victory, while a female figure inscribes the city’s name on a shield, immortalizing the event. Such depictions are not unique to this time; the motif of inscribing victories echoes through the ages, reminiscent of Roman triumphs where emperors were celebrated with inscriptions and monuments. Consider how this act of commemoration evolved from carving in stone to printing on paper, each medium altering the symbol's reach and meaning. The urge to immortalize triumphs speaks to a deep-seated human need to conquer mortality through historical narrative. This pursuit, filled with psychological weight, ensures events persist in cultural memory, shaping identities and collective consciousness across generations. It reminds us that symbols like these are not static but are continuously reinterpreted.