Portret van Beaumier 1691

This is Jacob Gole’s portrait of Beaumier, rendered in an etching sometime between 1660 and 1737, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Notice Beaumier's attire, marked with a fleur-de-lis, an emblem deeply interwoven with French royalty and, by extension, authority. But consider the paradox: why does a persecutor, as the inscription suggests, need to display power so overtly? The fleur-de-lis, once a symbol of divine right, echoes through history, appearing on battle standards and royal decrees. Yet, it also manifests in less imposing contexts – family crests, for example. The image resonates with a kind of primal assertion, a visual echo of dominance. We recognize this not as a simple claim to authority, but as a deep-seated need to validate power, stirring within us questions of legitimacy. This symbol engages the viewer on a subconscious level, prompting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of power, its symbols, and our response to them.