King Charles I of England 1614 - 1641

Anthony van Dyck painted this portrait of King Charles I of England, and it’s ripe with symbols of power and authority, especially the prominent star. Note the Star of the Order of the Garter, emblazoned across the King’s cloak. The star motif stretches back through centuries, from ancient Mesopotamian art to the Renaissance, often representing divine guidance or royal status. You see this star echoing in the art of courtly life across Europe. But what's fascinating is the cultural metamorphosis, the star's shift in meaning, reflecting aspirations for power, and divine will. Consider how such symbols embed themselves in our collective memory. They resurface in new guises, carrying echoes of past glories, influencing us on a primal level. Each manifestation is both a continuation and a reinvention. It’s a powerful emblem of the cyclical nature of history and human ambition.