Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1884 - 1896

This photograph by Friedrich Julius von Kolkow captures an unknown woman, her gaze direct and composed. The oval brooch at her throat, a seemingly simple ornament, echoes symbols of wholeness and eternity found in ancient cultures. The circular form is a universal motif, reminiscent of the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, a symbol of cyclical renewal. Here, nestled at the base of the neck, it represents the infinite nature of existence, subtly woven into the sitter's persona. Consider Botticelli's Venus, rising from the sea, adorned with pearls, each a tiny sphere reflecting light and purity. This motif has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, demonstrating the non-linear progression of symbols.