Portret van Jean-Baptiste Colbert 1668

Robert Nanteuil’s engraving captures Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the influential French statesman. Note the trefoil motifs at each corner, symbols deeply rooted in the medieval era representing the Holy Trinity. These triquetras, echoing Celtic and Norse designs, transcend their original religious context. Look closely, and you'll notice Colbert wears the Order of the Holy Spirit. The cross of the Order, prominently displayed, bears the dove of the Holy Spirit, a symbol of divine inspiration. The dove itself, from ancient Greek associations with Aphrodite to its role in Christian iconography, embodies purity, peace, and renewal. Yet, in the hands of power, such symbols can become tools of legitimization. Here, the convergence of religious and secular emblems illustrates the complex interplay between faith, authority, and personal ambition, engaging us with its profound, if silent, language. The trefoil resurfaces, transformed, in emblems of modern corporations, echoing resilience and adaptability throughout history.