Portrait Of A One-Year-Old Girl Of The Van Der Burch Family 

Aelbert Cuyp painted this portrait of a one-year-old girl of the Van Der Burch family with oil on panel. The child's delicate features and ornate attire speak volumes about her family's status. Notice the coral teething stick she holds. Coral has long been believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against illness, dating back to ancient Roman times where children wore coral amulets. This motif of protection appears in different forms across cultures and epochs. In medieval art, we often see the Madonna and Child adorned with coral necklaces. It is a symbol of protection against harm and bad luck. The recurring motif across centuries speaks to our deep-seated fears and hopes surrounding our children's health. This powerful symbol engages us on a subconscious level. Its presence is a testament to the cyclical nature of human experience. We see how certain symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.