Portret van prins Maurits van Nassau c. 1625 - 1675

This is an engraving of Prince Maurits van Nassau, immortalized by an anonymous artist. Encircling the portrait, the inscription 'Cuius Arbor Tandem Fiet Ultra' evokes a potent symbol: the tree. Consider the recurring motif of the tree across cultures. From the Tree of Life in ancient Mesopotamian art to the family trees of Renaissance nobility, it signifies growth, lineage, and the interconnectedness of existence. Here, surrounding Prince Maurits, it speaks to the burgeoning power and expanding influence of the House of Nassau. Yet, the tree is never static. As societal values shift, so too does its symbolic weight. What was once a celebration of dynastic continuity can transform into a meditation on nature's resilience. This evolution reflects our collective memory—a subconscious dialogue with the past that imbues the tree with enduring emotional resonance. The image has a psychological effect on viewers; it appeals to a subconscious desire for stability. Thus, in this portrait, the tree motif serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols. Existing not in linear time, it resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different epochs, connecting us to ancestral ideas.