Portret van Karel III koning van Spanje c. 1685 - 1714

This engraving portrays Charles III of Spain, and it is composed of symbolic elements within its ornamental design. Encircling the portrait, we observe laurel wreaths traditionally associated with triumph and status. Above the figure of the king, a commanding eagle carries a branch in its beak. The eagle is an ancient symbol, representing power and vision, seen across cultures from Roman imperial standards to heraldic emblems of European monarchies. The motto 'ANTE ANNOS ANIMUS GERENS CURAMQUE VIRILEM' alludes to possessing wisdom beyond his years. Note that the imagery of rulers is not confined by time or geography. We see motifs like the eagle and laurel wreaths recurring in vastly different contexts—from ancient Roman coins to Renaissance paintings—each time slightly altered but always evoking similar notions of authority. These symbols reflect a collective yearning for strong leadership, etched into our cultural memory. Such emblems echo through history, constantly revitalized by the human psyche’s need for order and strength, which transcends time.