The Arms of the Dutch East India Company, 1651, by Jeronimus
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The Arms of the Dutch East India Company, 1651, by Jeronimus
Jeronimus Becx (active c. 1649-1658). Dutch artist. The Arms of the Dutch East India Company, 1651. Detail. Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam. Holland
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Media ID 14335104
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
1651 Amsterdam Chartered Colony Commerce Deity Economy Holland Mermaid Mirror Mythological Mythology Navigation Neptune Netherlandish Netherlands Ornamented Rijksmuseum Shield Symbol Trident Myth
EDITORS COMMENTS
The Arms of the Dutch East India Company, 1651, by Jeronimus Becx is a captivating and intricately detailed painting that showcases the arms of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), as it appeared in 1651. The Dutch East India Company was the first multinational corporation and Europe's first global empire, established in 1602 to carry out colonial activities and promote trade with Asia. The painting, housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Holland, depicts the company's coat of arms, which is dominated by a shield adorned with a mermaid holding a mirror in one hand and a trident in the other. The mermaid represents the goddess Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature, and the mirror symbolizes the company's role as a mirror to the world, reflecting the wealth and power it brought back from its Asian colonies. Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, is depicted on the left side of the shield, holding a trident, symbolizing the company's dominance over the seas and its ability to navigate the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean. The painting also features a man holding a globe and a woman, who represents Asia, offering her riches to the man. This represents the company's successful trade relations with Asia and its ability to bring wealth and prosperity back to Europe. The ornamented border of the painting is filled with various mythological figures, including Hercules, Atlas, and other gods and goddesses, symbolizing the company's power and influence. The Arms of the Dutch East India Company, 1651, is a testament to the Netherlands' rich maritime history and its role as a global power during the modern age. The painting's intricate details and mythological symbolism continue to fascinate historians, art enthusiasts, and visitors to the Rijksmuseum today.
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