Portret van Willem van Nassau 1830 - 1868

This is Carl Mayer's portrait of Willem van Nassau, made with etching. Note the medals adorning his chest, symbols of honor and achievement. These are not mere decorations; they echo ancient Roman symbols of valor, adapted by European nobility to signify power and legitimacy. Medals, like coins, serve as portable symbols, carriers of propaganda, shaping public perception across generations. Consider the star-shaped medal, a motif that recurs throughout history from ancient Sumerian emblems of divinity to modern corporate logos. The weight of such symbols is not merely aesthetic but deeply psychological. They tap into our collective memory, evoking feelings of reverence, loyalty, and ambition, emotions that have driven human actions across millennia. Remember the cyclical nature of symbols. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, constantly engaging viewers on a subconscious level.