Portret van Pedro de Sousa Holstein, hertog van Palmela 1811 - 1841

This print portrays Pedro de Sousa Holstein, the Duke of Palmela. Observe the prominent sash and cross he wears—symbols of status and allegiance. Such emblems echo across centuries, harking back to Roman senatorial stoles and medieval heraldry. Consider the cross, a symbol deeply rooted in Christian iconography, yet predating it in various forms as a representation of cosmic balance and intersection. From ancient Egyptian ankhs to Celtic crosses, this motif carries profound spiritual weight, subtly influencing our perception of authority and devotion. The recurrence of these symbols in different eras speaks to a collective memory, a subconscious recognition of power structures and spiritual beliefs. Like migratory birds following ancient routes, these symbols reappear, adapted and reinterpreted, connecting us to a past that continues to shape our present.