Portret van Frederik, prins der Nederlanden 1805 - 1851

This is Willem van Senus's portrait of Frederik, Prince of the Netherlands. Note the subject's meticulous military attire, adorned with epaulettes and medals. Consider the symbolic weight of the medal, its circular form echoing ancient solar symbols and mandalas, representing completeness and authority. Throughout history, such emblems have signified power, from Roman emperors to Renaissance monarchs. Think of the psychological implications: the need to display status, the desire for recognition. These are primal urges reflected in our fascination with symbols of prestige. Each medal is a miniature sun, radiating power, demanding respect, and stirring deep-seated desires in the collective unconscious. Symbols, though altered, continue to permeate our visual language. The Prince's portrait is not merely a depiction of a man but a cultural artifact, a symbol of enduring human aspirations.