Dionijs Wijnands (1628-73). Amsterdam merchant, son of Hendrick Wijnands and Aeltje Denijs 1664

Jan van Noordt painted this portrait of Dionijs Wijnands in the Dutch Golden Age. Note the tassels hanging from his collar, symbols of status and affluence, and the open window behind him. These elements speak to a broader history of symbols representing prosperity and openness to the world, a trope we see echoed through centuries. Consider, for instance, the recurrence of draped fabrics in Renaissance paintings, or open landscapes in Romantic landscapes that signify wealth, power, and freedom. Observe the man's relaxed pose and the landscape in the window. These details, like motifs in ancient Greek sculpture, evoke a sense of calm and composure. It is a visual language that resonates deeply within us, tapping into our collective memory of what it means to be at peace. Symbols like these, passed down and subtly altered, engage us on a subconscious level, drawing us into a dialogue across time.