Portret van Bertholdus II 1715 - 1797

This is Joseph Anton Zimmermann's portrait of Bertholdus II, etched into a plate sometime in the 18th century. Note Bertholdus’s attire. His cross, cape and book all echo symbols of authority, echoing those seen in depictions of rulers or emperors throughout history. Consider, for instance, the scepter held by kings: it is a symbol of power, as much as the book embodies wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual guidance. Compare this to earlier Roman sculptures, where emperors are shown with similar objects, each intended to legitimize power. The cross, originally a symbol of suffering, has been re-imagined as a symbol of triumph and authority, worn proudly. We see how symbols evolve, shaped by collective memory and subconscious desires, their meanings changing but their emotional power constant, revealing the enduring human quest for meaning.