Portret van Hans Ernst Dietrich von Werder 1796

This is a portrait of Hans Ernst Dietrich von Werder, made by Johann Friedrich Bause using an etching technique. The eye is immediately drawn to the subject's prominent star pendant, hanging from a ribbon across his chest. Such stars and pendants are badges of honor, often linked to chivalric orders. The motif of the star carries a rich historical legacy. We see it echoed in ancient symbols, from the star of Ishtar to the star of Bethlehem, each imbued with different cultural and spiritual meanings, yet all speaking to ideas of guidance, divinity, and destiny. In Von Werder's time, the star serves as a symbol of worldly achievement, but one cannot ignore the echoes of its more ancient, celestial origins. Looking at how the star motif reappears through art history, we can trace how it evolves, shifting from a symbol of divine guidance to one of secular merit. It’s a journey that reflects humanity's own evolving relationship with the cosmos and the earthly powers that claim to represent it. It speaks to our collective memory and how symbols can be vessels for our deepest hopes and fears.