Filips de Schone 1586 - 1587

This engraving of Filips de Schone, made by Hendrick Goltzius, captures the subject adorned with symbols of power: crown, sword, and coat of arms. These emblems tell us about his status and lineage in the late 16th century. The sword, a prominent symbol, goes beyond mere warfare. Throughout history, the sword appears as a symbol of authority, justice, and moral integrity. We see this same symbol in classical antiquity. Consider the Roman Gladius, wielded not just as a weapon but as an emblem of Roman power and law. Medieval knights would lay their swords on the altar, asking for God’s blessing. They swore oaths to defend the weak. This fusion of martial strength with moral duty is something we can still see echoed in Goltzius's work. The collective unconscious remembers these forms, their emotional weight passed down. The sword resonates with primal urges. This urge is not just for power, but also for protection and upholding order. These symbols are not static; they evolve, carrying layers of meaning across centuries.