Portret van Frederik I, koning van Pruisen, als keurvorst van Brandenburg 1690 - 1701

This is a portrait of Frederick I, King of Prussia, as Elector of Brandenburg, made by Samuel Blesendorf. Look closely at the crown at the bottom, the laurel branches surrounding the portrait, and the trumpets at the top. The crown is a symbol of power, royalty, and divine approval that echoes across cultures, hearkening back to ancient headdresses of rulers in Mesopotamia. The laurel, associated with Apollo, suggests victory and eternal glory, a motif seen adorning emperors and heroes since antiquity. The trumpets herald important announcements and triumph, a call to attention found in both religious and secular art throughout the ages. The recurrence of these symbols speaks to humanity’s deep-seated need to visualise power, victory, and heralding, revealing how symbols evolve yet retain their emotional resonance through history. It touches upon our collective memory and the subconscious desire for order, achievement, and recognition.