Portret van Anna van Hannover 1771 - 1816

This is Reinier Vinkeles's portrait of Anna van Hannover, a delicate engraving on paper now held at the Rijksmuseum. Note the olive branch below her portrait. It is a symbol we've seen for millennia, stretching back to ancient Greece, where it signified peace and victory. In Roman times, it adorned the brows of triumphant emperors. But why does it appear here, beneath Anna's image? The olive branch's endurance speaks to our deep, perhaps subconscious, longing for harmony and resolution. Think of Picasso's dove, a modern echo of this ancient emblem, emerging from the ashes of war. The symbol has transformed, yet its core message of reconciliation remains. Here, the olive branch beneath Anna's portrait invites contemplation. What peace did she embody, or what victories did she represent? It reminds us that symbols evolve, shaped by history and emotion.