Portret van Emma Nevada before 1883

Wilhelm Benque’s photograph from the late 19th century immortalizes Emma Nevada, with a harp. The harp is more than an instrument; it is a symbol of harmony, echoing Orpheus' lyre, capable of charming even wild beasts. It suggests a deep connection to mythology and the power of music. This image resonates with echoes of Botticelli's Venus, where musical instruments like the lute are present. Over time, the harp shed its purely divine associations to become an emblem of refined, earthly pleasures. It re-emerges in Victorian art as a marker of feminine accomplishment. The harp’s strings evoke emotional states, a conduit between the physical and spiritual realms. It whispers of longing, echoing in our collective memory. It reminds us that symbols like the harp do not follow a linear path but reappear, transformed, engaging us on a subconscious level with their renewed emotional resonance.