Portret van Ernst Casimir, graaf van Nassau-Dietz 1630 - 1656

This small portrait of Ernst Casimir, Count of Nassau-Dietz, rendered with an engraver’s tool, presents the Count framed in a simple oval. Note the sash worn across his armor, a visual echo of ancient Roman military leaders, symbolizing authority and martial prowess. This motif has traversed time and space, resurfacing in countless portraits to denote power. In our collective memory, it evokes images of emperors and generals, their stoic faces symbolizing leadership. The face itself, with its direct gaze, is a carefully constructed image intended to project resolve. The weight of leadership is palpable, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The sash, the armor, and the gaze are not merely aesthetic choices; they are deliberate invocations of a visual language of power. The cyclical progression of the symbol continues to evolve.