Portret van Marguerite Costa 1620 - 1664

Here we have Stefano della Bella's portrait of Marguerite Costa, an etching crafted in the 17th century. Encircling her image, we observe a laurel wreath, a potent symbol of poetic and intellectual triumph, dating back to ancient Greece, where it crowned victors and luminaries. The wreath transcends mere decoration; it embodies the aspirations and achievements of the sitter. Note its recurrence throughout history, from Roman emperors to Renaissance scholars. The crown acts as a symbolic bridge, linking Marguerite to a lineage of accomplished figures celebrated for their contributions to art and thought. Yet, the laurel wreath's appearance here is not identical to its classical origins. This highlights how symbols evolve through time, imbued with new layers of meaning as they reappear in different contexts. We must remember that such symbols resonate with our collective memory, triggering subconscious associations and emotional responses that extend far beyond the immediate image. The past is always present.