Schotel, beschilderd met portret van stadhouder Willem IV 1758

This is a painted plate featuring Stadtholder Willem IV, and you'll immediately notice the radiant sun at the top of the image, which is an ancient symbol of power, divinity, and enlightenment. This symbol appears throughout history, from Egyptian sun gods to the Roman Sol Invictus, each reflecting a culture’s deepest values. The sun's constant presence in art suggests a collective, subconscious need for a guiding, benevolent force, a need we see echoed across cultures and millennia. Even today, in secular contexts, the sun retains its positive connotations. The presence of the sun speaks to the emotional power of images to engage us on a profound level. By connecting us to a deep well of cultural memory, it evokes feelings of hope and continuity. So, we see the cyclical progression where ancient symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.