Portret van Hendrik de la Tour d'Auvergne 1623 - 1676

This engraving depicts Hendrik de la Tour d'Auvergne, and was created by Frederik Bouttats, in Antwerp. Notice the laurel wreath being held above the portrait: this symbol dates back to ancient Greece, where it was awarded to victors and heroes. Here, its presence signifies glory and triumph. Consider how such emblems persist through time; the laurel wreath appears in Roman art, Renaissance paintings, and even modern-day emblems, each time carrying echoes of its original significance, yet adapting to new cultural contexts. The figures flanking the portrait add another layer, evoking classical ideals of strength and virtue, and appealing to our collective memory through a visual language that has resonated for centuries. It's a symbol of aspiration, continually renewed and reimagined across the epochs.