Spotvers bij het portret van prins Maurits 1710 - 1720

This is an anonymous handwritten verse for a portrait of Prince Maurits. The Dutch text speaks of devotion to Prince Maurits while invoking God. It uses symbolic language, like shining ‘golden arrows,’ perhaps alluding to divine favor or the Prince’s virtues. We find similar celebratory uses of arrows across different epochs. For instance, Cupid’s arrows in classical mythology, which wound the heart with love or desire. In Christian art, arrows can symbolize spiritual battles or martyrdom, like those piercing Saint Sebastian. Here, the golden arrows shot by JACHEY may suggest an enlightened form of divine respect. The use of golden light in visual and written symbolism is a powerful motif. It speaks to deep subconscious desires for purity, illumination, and, ultimately, transcendence. Across cultures, we see the symbolic weight of gold, connecting mortal achievements with the divine, thus imbuing the Prince with spiritual power. This symbolic progression underscores how certain images and concepts cycle through human history, transforming yet retaining their emotional core.