Vignet van Abraham Verhammen 17th century

This is a vignette of Abraham Verhammen, made anonymously in an unknown time period. The central symbol is the fleur-de-lis, enclosed within a circle bearing the name "Abraham Verhammen," and crowned by a regal crown. The fleur-de-lis, historically associated with French royalty, particularly the House of Bourbon, carries the weight of centuries of power and legitimacy. Yet, its earlier origins are in religious symbolism, representing the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity. This emblem is often used to evoke a sense of national pride and aristocratic heritage. The crown, as a universal symbol of sovereignty, further amplifies this assertion of authority. We see echoes of this symbol in many places across time, for instance, in Byzantine art, where the lily appeared as a scepter of power. This motif reminds us how visual symbols evolve and adapt, acquiring new layers of meaning as they journey through the collective psyche. The persistence of the fleur-de-lis demonstrates the cyclical nature of cultural symbols, perpetually resurfacing in different contexts and incarnations.