Portret van Wladislaus IV, koning van Polen en Zweden 1628 - 1670

This is a portrait of Wladislaus IV, King of Poland and Sweden, made by Pieter de Jode II. Notice the symbols of power that surround him: the regal crown, ermine robes, and the baton he firmly holds. Consider this baton, a scepter-like object. It echoes the ancient Roman fasces, bundles of rods signifying authority and justice. The fasces themselves hark back to even earlier symbols of power in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. What started as a simple tool for binding and punishment evolved into a potent emblem of leadership. Across centuries and cultures, the baton resurfaces—carried by kings, emperors, and even military leaders. It embodies not just authority, but also the weight of responsibility, and the burden of leadership. It invites us to reflect on how power is symbolized, claimed, and ultimately, wielded.