Portret van Anna van Denemarken Possibly 1605 - 1899

This is Simon van de Passe's portrait of Anna van Denemarken, made around the early 17th century. A small, engraved image, it showcases Anna adorned with jewels, pearls, and an elaborate lace collar. Note the crosses woven into her hair—symbols laden with religious and regal power. Such motifs appear across centuries, from ancient Roman emperors to Byzantine icons, each time adapted to convey authority and divine favor. This impulse to adorn oneself with symbols of higher powers is universal, almost a primal act. Consider the evolution of the cross itself, from a symbol of sacrifice to an emblem of triumph. The pearls, too, evoke a sense of purity and wealth, reminiscent of Botticelli’s Venus, reborn from the sea. The artist is engaging in a complex dance of cultural memory. The image serves as a reminder of how symbols resurface, transformed yet familiar, in the vast theater of history.