Portret van Haquin Spegel 1715

This portrait of Haquin Spegel, etched by Elias Brenner, presents us with a powerful interplay of symbols deeply rooted in religious and intellectual authority. Spegel, framed within a circle inscribed with his titles—Archbishop and Pro-Chancellor—evokes the halo of sanctity and the continuous cycle of knowledge. The mitre, a symbol of episcopal authority, connects him to a lineage extending back to the early Church. Note how the sitter is presented in a round frame, like a coin: a symbol of legacy. Consider how similar iconographies appear across cultures. The halo, for instance, appears not only in Christian art but also in depictions of Roman emperors and Buddhist figures, each adapted to convey divine or supreme status. These symbols carry an emotional weight, engaging viewers on a subconscious level through archetypal images of power and wisdom. The enduring presence of such symbols reveals our collective, subconscious desire for order and authority, and a psychological need to connect with historical figures. It is a non-linear progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.