Portret van Wolfgang Lazius 1682

Edme de Boulonois etched this portrait of Wolfgang Lazius, capturing the gravitas of the 16th-century historian. Notice the heavy chain around his shoulders, a symbol of office and status. This motif of the chain appears across history, from ancient Egyptian necklaces signifying power to the golden chains donned by medieval knights, each link forged with meaning. Even today, in modified form, civic leaders wear chains of office. Consider how such adornments echo in the collective memory, subconsciously influencing our perception of authority. Think of the psychological impact of a king’s crown—how it instantly conveys dominance, rooted in centuries of inherited meaning. This visual language transcends time. The weight of such symbols, both literal and metaphorical, engages us on a deep, subconscious level. It’s not just ornamentation but a continuous thread weaving through the tapestry of human history, resurfacing time and again.