Portret van Stephen Gardiner 1667 - 1709

This is Johann Christoph Boecklin's portrait of Stephen Gardiner. Note the symbols of power and faith surrounding Gardiner, such as the bishop’s mitre in his hands and his coat of arms below. The mitre, prominently displayed, marks Gardiner as a bishop, a symbol of ecclesiastical authority. Its form has ancient roots, possibly evolving from head coverings worn by priests in antiquity. We see similar headdresses in depictions of ancient rulers and religious figures across cultures, each adapted to signify power within their specific contexts. Consider the Pope’s tiara or the crowns of ancient Egyptian pharaohs. These symbols resonate across time, evoking notions of leadership and divine sanction. The persistence of such symbols speaks to our collective need to visually codify authority. It serves as a potent reminder of how images and objects can transcend their immediate context, carrying echoes of the past into the present.