C.W.L. Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg-Ochsenhausen 1814

This is Christian Schule’s portrait of C.W.L. Fürst von Metternich, made in the late 18th or early 19th century. Consider the prominent display of the Order of Saint Stephen, a symbol of high status in the Habsburg Empire. This motif echoes through history, linking back to ancient emblems of power. The cross is a powerful symbol; here, it’s secularized, yet it retains echoes of its religious origins. We see this symbol repeated across cultures— from the scepter of a medieval king to the modern-day corporate logo—each time subtly shifting in meaning, yet always evoking a sense of authority. Why this persistent symbol? Perhaps it taps into a collective memory, a deep-seated human desire for order and leadership. The artist’s rendering engages us not just intellectually, but also on a primal level, stirring subconscious associations with power and control. The cross's journey through time, mirroring the cyclical nature of history itself, is never a straight line. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, shaped by the ever-changing currents of human experience.