The Dauphin Charles Orlant 1494

Jean Hey captured the Dauphin Charles Orlant, sometime in the late 15th century, using oil on wood. The rosary beads held by the infant are more than a symbol of piety; they represent a tactile link to the divine. We see this symbolic string echoed throughout history – from the prayer beads of Buddhist monks to the worry beads of ancient Greece. The beads have been passed through time, their circular form evoking cyclical patterns of life, death, and rebirth. This iconography is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Notice how the beads' rhythmic arrangement mirrors the patterns in the brocade behind Charles, creating a sense of harmony between the earthly and the divine. This visual harmony touches on our deepest hopes for order and meaning in the world. It is this constant resurfacing of the most basic human emotions that continues to breathe life into these images.