Portret van Willem III, prins van Oranje c. 1671 - 1699

This is Jan van Somer's portrait of Willem III, Prince of Orange. Note the rich, flowing locks of hair, a symbol of power and virility carried down from classical antiquity. Consider the long hair of the Apollo Belvedere, the epitome of masculine beauty in ancient Greece. This motif reappears throughout history, signifying authority and a connection to the divine. The flowing hair, adopted by monarchs and nobility, reflects a psychological desire to embody strength and timelessness. It's a visual echo resonating through centuries, each curl whispering tales of power, beauty, and the cyclical nature of cultural symbols. Such potent images engage our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with leadership and idealized forms. This non-linear progression reveals how symbols evolve, resurface, and adapt, their meanings shifting with each historical context.