Portret van Leopold Willem van Oostenrijk 1835

Charles Onghena created this portrait of Leopold Willem van Oostenrijk using engraving techniques. Note the intricate wreath encircling the portrait, crowned with a halo, and the cherubic figures that flank it. These are no mere decorations; they are steeped in symbolic meaning, signifying virtue, divine approval, and perhaps even deification. Consider how such motifs reappear across time. The wreath, for example, evolves from ancient Greek laurel wreaths, awarded to victors, to Christian symbols of sainthood. Here, it suggests Leopold’s noble status and, perhaps, his virtuous leadership, all framed within the divine mandate suggested by the cherubs. The symbolic weight of the cherubs carries its own historical burden, evolving from pagan winged deities to Christian angelic beings. These images tap into a collective memory, stirring subconscious associations of purity and divine intervention. The engraver harnessed not just skill, but the profound, emotional power embedded in these enduring symbols.