Portret van Philippe-Emmanuel de Lorraine hertog van Mercoeur

This is an engraving of Philippe-Emmanuel de Lorraine, created by Thomas de Leu around the late 16th or early 17th century. The portrait is encircled by text, ending with a star. The star, seemingly a benign symbol of guidance or destiny, has a lineage stretching back to ancient Mesopotamia, where it represented divinity and celestial power. Consider the star’s transformation through the ages. In Renaissance art, stars often appear in depictions of the Virgin Mary, signifying her divine status. Yet, in other contexts, the star can be laden with darker connotations, such as the pentagram's association with occult practices. Here, in the context of a noble portrait, the star might symbolize divine favor or the Duke’s aspirations to greatness. It is a non-linear journey of symbols, constantly evolving and adapting, mirroring humanity's ever-changing relationship with its own history and subconscious desires.