Portret van Guillaume de Villaret 1726

This engraving by Laurent Cars portrays Guillaume de Villaret. Dominating the composition is the Maltese cross emblazoned on his robes, a potent symbol of the Knights Hospitaller, a Christian military order. This cross, deeply rooted in history, echoes the earlier cross pattée, seen in Byzantine art and heraldry, its arms widening from the center, signifying the spread of Christianity to the four corners of the world. This motif transcends time and place, appearing in various guises across different cultures, each iteration carrying its own unique cultural and historical weight. Consider how such symbols can evoke deep-seated emotions, tapping into our collective memory and shared cultural subconscious, binding us to the past.