Portret van Johan Maurits, graaf van Nassau-Siegen 1771 - 1816

This engraving portrays Johan Maurits, Count of Nassau-Siegen, rendered by Reinier Vinkeles. Note the prominent Maltese Cross he wears: a symbol laden with history. The Maltese Cross, originally associated with the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades, signifies Christian military duty. Yet, it is more than a mere emblem of faith; it echoes motifs found in antiquity, like the solar cross, representing the sun's path and, by extension, life itself. This symbol finds resurgence across varied contexts, from medieval heraldry to modern military decorations. Consider how such a symbol, born from religious conflict, transcends its original context. It resurfaces, adapted and repurposed, speaking to humanity's enduring need for symbols of hope, duty, and identity. Observe how the visual language carries subconscious connections, evoking emotional states tied to collective memory. It’s a potent reminder of how symbols, like migratory birds, traverse time, their songs changing with each new season.