Portret van Kunigunda Stör 1799

This engraving from 1799 by Christoph-Wilhelm Bock immortalizes Kunigunda Stör in profile, framed within a classical oval. Notice her earring, a cross, a symbol laden with centuries of evolving meaning. Rooted in early Christian iconography, the cross represents sacrifice, redemption, and faith. But its journey doesn't end there. Consider the Egyptian ankh, a symbol of life, or the solar crosses found in Bronze Age petroglyphs, each echoing a similar quest for meaning and protection. Over time, the cross has been appropriated and reinterpreted, from a symbol of imperial power to a subversive emblem of resistance, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The cross becomes a vessel carrying the weight of history, engaging us on a profound level. It is a potent reminder of how symbols transcend time, evolving, adapting, and resonating with each new generation.