Portret van Karel II, koning van Engeland c. 1663 - 1695

Christiaan Hagen's portrait of Charles II presents us with symbols of power and authority. Charles is clad in armor, holding a baton, and his crown rests nearby, each element a declaration of his kingship. But the baton, a seemingly simple staff, carries a lineage stretching back to antiquity. Think of the scepters of pharaohs, or the staffs carried by Roman emperors, symbols of command and divine right. Yet, here, it appears almost casually held, reflecting perhaps a shift in the perception of monarchy during this time. The armor is a nod to military strength, but also connects to the classical ideal of the leader as both warrior and statesman. Consider the psychological weight of these symbols: the crown, heavy with the expectations of governance, and the baton, a physical manifestation of authority. These objects serve as focal points for collective hopes and fears, embodying a complex web of cultural memory and subconscious associations. These symbols are not static, but rather, they echo through time, constantly reshaped by the ever-shifting currents of history.