Portret van Anna Boleyn, koningin van Engeland 1736 - 1738

This engraving of Anna Boleyn, Queen of England, was made by Jacob Houbraken in the 18th century. Observe how Anna is framed within a classical oval, a symbol of timelessness, yet below, a stark image unfolds: a cupid unveils a decapitated head. This juxtaposition is not merely narrative; it's a powerful statement about the cyclical nature of history and memory. The beheading, a brutal end, echoes through time, recalling similar fates in ancient tragedies. In Holbein's "The Ambassadors," a skull is stretched across the canvas reminding us of death’s inevitable presence. Here, the cupid, a symbol of love, revealing death, highlights the fleeting nature of power and beauty. This image engages us on a subconscious level, stirring collective memories of mortality. Houbraken masterfully uses symbols to transcend a simple portrait, inviting us to contemplate the complex interplay of love, death, and memory across centuries.