Portret van prinses Elisabeth Maria van Portugal 1708 - 1711

Jacob Gole created this portrait of Princess Elisabeth Maria of Portugal as an engraving. Observe the heraldic shield prominently displayed beneath the princess's portrait, crowned with a regal coronet. The shield, a potent symbol of lineage and power, is not merely a static emblem. We see echoes of similar shields across the centuries, from medieval tapestries to modern-day national flags. Consider how the display of heraldic symbols has consistently served to assert identity, authority, and belonging. The crown atop the shield mirrors the crowns worn by rulers throughout history, each iteration carrying the weight of tradition and the aspirations of its wearers. The image engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious recognition of inherited power and status. This symbol has followed a non-linear path, continually resurfacing and evolving, adapting to new contexts while retaining its core essence, and gaining new meanings through time.