Penning met buste van Maria-Theresia van Spanje 1702

This engraving depicts Maria Theresa of Spain, rendered by Gérard Edelinck. Note the regal diadem, a stylized crown, adorning her head. This motif, though seemingly straightforward, carries echoes of ancient authority. Consider the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors; symbols of victory and imperial power. This headwear has evolved through time, reappearing in various forms throughout history, from papal tiaras to royal crowns. These symbols are never static, they shift, adapt, and accumulate new layers of meaning as they traverse through time. The diadem, while signifying Maria Theresa's sovereignty, also evokes a sense of timeless authority. It is a manifestation of collective memory, an attempt to connect with the past while legitimizing the present. This image, charged with symbolic weight, engages us on a primal level, stirring deep-seated notions of power, legitimacy, and historical continuity. It becomes a powerful reminder of how symbols resurface, transform, and acquire fresh significance across the ages.