Portret van Charles Howard 1737 - 1739

Jacob Houbraken created this engraving of Charles Howard. Note the trident-bearing merman presenting a crown before a naval battle scene. Here, we see immediate symbols of Howard's identity and status: a noble sea commander, a Lord High Admiral. The trident, of course, links back to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, but it does not stop here. We find it re-emerging in diverse cultures as a symbol of power over water, and by extension, dominion. Think of the trident's echo in Shiva's Trishula, in Hinduism, and its potent symbolism of control over cosmic forces. Similarly, the crown, a universal signifier of sovereignty, finds its origins in ancient headdresses and has traveled through time, adapting to varied cultural expressions of authority, from royal families to deities. The merman, a figure from folklore, embodies the mysteries of the deep. The appearance of these mythical figures engages our collective subconscious. The ocean's depths, much like our own minds, hold untold secrets. This visual language conveys not only status but also connects to humanity's primal relationship with the sea, a realm of both opportunity and fear. A powerful dance of symbols indeed, where the past informs the present in this intricate game of cultural memory.