Portret van Isabella van Beieren, koningin van Frankrijk 1750 - 1808

This is Clément Pierre Marillier's rendition of Isabella of Bavaria, Queen of France, rendered with etching. Observe how the crown atop Isabella’s head sits as a stark symbol of authority, a motif deeply entrenched in the iconography of power. The crown, throughout history, is more than mere regalia. It serves as a potent emblem of divine mandate and earthly dominion. This symbol appears in various forms across different eras, from the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors to the elaborate, jeweled crowns of medieval monarchs. The evolution of the crown mirrors the changing dynamics of power, reflecting shifts in cultural values and political structures. Indeed, the persistent recurrence of the crown speaks to our collective fascination with authority and leadership. The image of Isabella, crowned and regally adorned, engages viewers on a subconscious level, triggering our ingrained notions of sovereignty. It is a symbol that has resurfaced time and again, evolving and adapting in meaning, yet retaining its primal connection to the concept of power.