Portret van Karl von Rabenhaupt 1644

This is a portrait of Karl von Rabenhaupt, created in 1644 by Crispijn van den Queborn. The image bears a Latin inscription circling the subject: 'Salutis Virtuti Fortuna Comes Anno 1644,' meaning 'Health, Virtue, and Fortune Accompany the Year 1644.' Notice how 'Virtue' is accompanied by a radiant sun. The Sun, a classical symbol of enlightenment and divine knowledge, appears throughout art history. We see it, for example, in Egyptian art, where the Sun God Ra represents supreme power. Here, the sun next to ‘Virtue’ elevates the concept, linking Rabenhaupt’s character with higher, almost divine qualities. The use of Latin itself is significant, connecting Rabenhaupt to the intellectual and political legacy of the Roman Empire, a common motif in early modern portraiture. These symbols aren’t merely decorative, they are a deliberate construction of identity, showcasing the subject's virtues through references deeply embedded in collective memory. The radiant sun above him is thus another iteration in the continuous, cyclical evolution of symbols across time and culture.