Maria Theresia smeekt om hulp bij de Rechtvaardigheid, 1742 1742

This 1742 print depicts Maria Theresa pleading for help with Justice. Note the dominant symbol of the crown, not on her head, but cast aside on the table, a sign of the turmoil she was experiencing during the War of the Austrian Succession. This motif of a displaced crown appears across various historical contexts. For instance, in some Renaissance allegories, a discarded crown symbolizes the rejection of earthly power in favor of spiritual enlightenment, while in other instances, it represents the instability of monarchies, as seen during periods of revolution. The crown's evolution from a symbol of divine right to one of precarious authority reflects a shifting collective consciousness. This symbol engages viewers on a subconscious level by tapping into primal fears of chaos and instability. It suggests that even the most entrenched powers are subject to the whims of fate, evoking a sense of vulnerability. Thus, the fallen crown in this print is part of a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing throughout history, evolving and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.