Portret van Sophia Charlotte, koningin van Pruisen 1698 - 1713

Pieter Schenk's portrait of Sophia Charlotte, Queen of Prussia, presents a study in symbols of power and lineage. The queen is adorned with jewels and ermine, emblems of her royal status and the opulence of her court. Consider the brooch at her chest, its form echoing the solar disk, a motif that appears as early as ancient Egyptian iconography, representing divine authority. This symbol carries echoes of sun-kings and emperors, reborn here, adapted to signify the divinely sanctioned rule of European monarchs. Yet, symbols are never static. The ermine-lined cloak evokes similar mantles donned by figures in medieval religious art, like the Virgin Mary. Here, the visual language evolves, transforming spiritual authority into secular power. This layering of meanings across time reveals how symbols carry the weight of history, their forms shaped by the collective memory of generations. The image engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Such visual motifs, like cultural ghosts, remind us of the non-linear progression of symbols. This image is more than a portrait; it is a testament to the enduring power of visual symbols to shape our understanding of power, identity, and history.