Portret van politicus Giovanni Garzoni 1647

This is Giacomo Piccini's portrait of the politician Giovanni Garzoni. Encircling Garzoni is an inscription that includes a floral symbol, a six-petaled rosette, a motif we see blossoming across epochs. The rosette, a visual echo of the sun, appears in ancient Mesopotamian art, symbolizing royalty and divinity. It reappears in the Gothic cathedrals as rose windows, mediating divine light. Here, it adorns the portrait of Garzoni, a Venetian politician, suggesting an aura of authority and perhaps alluding to the enlightened governance. This symbol has evolved, shifting from divine representation to emblems of power and enlightenment. Symbols like the rosette are cultural artifacts, embodying a collective memory. Their repeated use speaks to our subconscious, engaging viewers on a deep level. It demonstrates how images can be powerful conduits, carrying historical, cultural, and psychological meaning. The use of this symbol reminds us of the non-linear progression of symbols, and how they are constantly resurfacing and evolving across time.