Portret van Hendrik III, koning van Frankrijk 1598

This engraving, made by Jost Amman, presents us with a portrait of Hendrik III, King of France. The image is framed by an elaborate setting filled with symbols that speak to the king’s status and the era's complex tapestry of power, religion, and cultural identity. Consider the circular frame surrounding Hendrik’s profile, a motif that harkens back to ancient Roman imperial portraiture, evoking ideas of power and continuity. This shape is adorned with figures reminiscent of classical allegories. These all’antica figures are reborn time and time again throughout the centuries, embodying an eternal longing for a lost golden age, a psychological yearning deeply embedded in the Western psyche. The scene below, perhaps depicting a royal ceremony, reminds us of the theatricality of power. Like actors on a stage, the figures perform their roles, reinforcing the social order. The use of such symbolism is never a straightforward affair, but a layered, evolving narrative, constantly re-emerging and adapting across time.