Portret van Karel de Stoute 1847 - 1849

This portrait of Charles the Bold was crafted by Jan Frederik Christiaan Reckleben, in an etching. Charles is depicted with symbols of power, most notably his elaborate helmet and the heraldic shield below. The shield is divided into quarters, each representing a territory under his rule, symbolizing his dynastic power and lineage. These heraldic symbols, initially designed to identify knights in battle, evolved into potent emblems of family identity and territorial claim. One can trace similar symbols back to ancient emblems of power, such as the Roman eagles or Egyptian hieroglyphs denoting pharaohs, each bearing the weight of authority and ancestral legitimacy. Consider how these symbols tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious recognition of power. This portrait, therefore, does more than depict a ruler, it evokes a lineage, a heritage, a cultural memory that resonates across centuries.