Portret van Peter II, koning van Portugal 1678 - 1726

This is Joseph Friedrich Leopold’s portrait of Peter II, King of Portugal, made as an engraving. Note the king's scepter and armor, symbols of power and military might that link him to a long line of rulers. Consider the scepter—an object echoing the staffs of ancient priests and the batons of Roman consuls. Across epochs, the scepter has been a signifier of authority. In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh's scepter was not merely a symbol but an embodiment of divine right; we can recall the flails and crooks, emblems of control over the land and its people. Later, the scepter would find its way into the hands of medieval monarchs, each iteration laden with the weight of tradition and the aspirations of the realm. Does it not stir something primal within us? The image of the scepter as a conduit of power? These symbols evoke collective memories, resonating within us, shaping our perceptions of authority, and tapping into our subconscious understanding of power dynamics. The scepter, therefore, is more than just a symbol; it is a historical echo, a testament to the enduring human fascination with control and order.