Twee mannen met honden in het bos 1798 - 1837

This engraving portrays Maria de Medici, Queen of France, encased within an oval frame festooned with ribbons and garlands. Her regal status is emphasized by the crown atop her elaborate hairstyle and the opulent jewels adorning her dress. The crown, a universal symbol of sovereignty, has its roots in ancient headdresses, evolving from simple laurel wreaths to elaborate metalwork. We can see it echoing in Byzantine mosaics, medieval tapestries, and even modern-day coronation regalia. The scepter held in her hand, a staff of power, appears in the hands of gods and rulers across cultures, from Zeus wielding his thunderbolt to Egyptian pharaohs holding their crook and flail. Such symbols persist because they tap into our collective memory of authority. The human psyche is drawn to the image of a ruler, recalling a primal desire for order and protection. Maria de Medici, through these potent symbols, transcends her individual identity, becoming an archetype of power and majesty, continuing to influence our understanding of leadership and legacy.