Portret van Joseph Charles Emmanuel van Ertborn 1881

Antoon Van IJsendijck created this portrait of Joseph Charles Emmanuel van Ertborn using etching, a technique that allows for the subtle play of light and shadow. Here, the symbols of power and status are evident—the ornate military attire and the meticulously rendered coat of arms speak to van Ertborn’s position and authority. The prominent star on his chest, likely an order of merit, is a particularly potent symbol. This motif has ancient roots, appearing in various guises across cultures to denote divine guidance, destiny, or exceptional achievement. We see echoes of this in the star-crowned figures of antiquity, celestial maps, and even modern-day emblems of achievement. The star's persistent recurrence hints at its deep resonance within the collective unconscious, a symbol that triggers our innate fascination with the cosmos and the human quest for greatness. Consider how the symbol of the star has metamorphosed through time, adapting to new cultural contexts, and yet its core essence remains—a beacon of hope, ambition, and the enduring human aspiration to transcend the ordinary.