Portrait of Magdalena van Werdenborgh (1464-1538) after 1510

This portrait of Magdalena van Werdenborgh, made by an anonymous artist, presents us with potent symbols of her status and piety. At the top left, the coat of arms—a visual assertion of her noble lineage—yet it is the rosary in her hands that truly captivates. This string of beads goes beyond mere religious accessory; it’s a cultural artifact. The rosary's presence reminds us of similar devotional objects across cultures, like prayer beads in Buddhism or Islam. Consider how the act of counting prayers, a practice deeply embedded in various faiths, transcends time and place. This connects the individual to a collective consciousness. Here, in Magdalena’s hands, it reflects the internalization of faith, an intimate connection to the divine. Such devotional imagery is not linear, but cyclical. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings. In this way, the rosary echoes through time, bearing the weight of history and devotion.