Portret van Victor Emanuel, hertog van Savoye en koning van Sardinië 1841 - 1852

This portrait of Victor Emanuel, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia, rendered by Felice Seghesio, presents us with a man adorned in the symbols of power. His chest is laden with medals, and a prominent cross hangs, emblems of valor, divine blessing, and authority. Consider the cross. It is not merely a Christian symbol here, but a totem of power. We see echoes of this in ancient Rome with the emperor's appropriation of religious symbols to assert his divine right to rule, or even earlier, in ancient Egypt, where pharaohs were depicted holding the ankh, the key of life, a sign that they were divinely appointed. The psychological weight of these symbols is immense. They tap into our collective memory, stirring primal emotions of loyalty and obedience. The cross, over time, has become so intertwined with secular power that its presence can evoke feelings of awe and submission, often subconsciously, illustrating how symbols evolve, yet retain a core of their original power across the ages.