Portret van Hendrik IV, koning van Frankrijk en Navarre 1608

This engraving from 1608 by Hendrick Hondius I portrays Hendrik IV, King of France and Navarre. The king is encircled by an oval frame that bears the inscription of his royal titles. Note the king's fur-trimmed robe, a symbol of status and power. The motif of fur, used for warmth and display, echoes back to ancient depictions of rulers and deities, suggesting an unbroken chain of authority through time. The fur robe, seen in portraits across Europe, whispers of wealth, control, and the primal assertion of dominance. The circular frame is another classical symbol representing continuity, perfection, and the cyclical nature of time. This symbol, like the Ouroboros serpent, echoes a universal yearning for wholeness and eternal return, and, over time, reappears across cultures, signifying eternity.