Portret van de sultan Lutzis Basha 1596

This engraving by Theodor de Bry portrays Sultan Lutzis Basha, surrounded by symbolic motifs within its decorative border. The rooster at the bottom, a symbol often associated with vigilance and pride, here takes on an ambivalent dimension. Traditionally a solar symbol heralding the dawn, in this context, it might also suggest arrogance, a trait that history often teaches us precedes a fall. Look how similar symbolism reappears in ancient Greek tragedies, where hubris leads to the hero's downfall. The Latin inscription “EX HVMMILI FORTUNA LOCO TE EVEXIT IN ALTVM / EX ALTO MAIOR SÆPE RVINA VENIT” reinforces this notion, reminding us that from humble beginnings, one rises, but from great heights, ruin often follows. The artist evokes a timeless cycle of fortune and misfortune, a powerful emotional undercurrent engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cyclical progression of symbols such as these has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout history.