Portret van Pio Enea I Obizzi 17th century

This engraving portrays Pio Enea Obizzi, a general of the Venetian Empire. Here, Obizzi is adorned with armor and a ruff collar, clutching a baton, symbols of his military authority and noble status within the Venetian Republic. The baton Obizzi holds connects him to a long lineage of leaders. It appears across epochs, from ancient Roman consuls to Renaissance commanders, each time signifying power and command. Consider the scepter of a king, or the staff of a religious leader—each an echo of this primal assertion of control. Yet, in each era, the baton's form and the authority it represents shift, reflecting the changing tides of power and culture. Observe how Obizzi's stern gaze seems to penetrate the surface, engaging us in a silent dialogue across centuries. It stirs within us a sense of the weight of history, the echoes of triumphs and defeats that shape our collective memory. These motifs remind us that symbols are never static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface, carrying layers of meaning that resonate across time.