Portrait of a Lady c. late 1640s

Jacob Jordaens painted this portrait of a lady, and its symbols speak volumes. Consider the parrot, a motif once exotic, perched beside her. It is a symbol of wealth and worldly awareness, echoing through centuries, much like the ancient Roman fascination with foreign birds. But here, it's more than mere status; it hints at the expanding world of the 17th century and humanity's growing reach. The pearls adorning the lady—necklaces, bracelets—are more than just adornment. Throughout time, pearls have shifted in meaning, representing purity, wealth, and even tears. The pearl, with its organic origin, carries subconscious associations of creation and vulnerability, an echo of Aphrodite emerging from the sea. These symbols resonate even now, not in a linear progression but as cyclical recurrences, shaped and reshaped by cultural currents. They tap into our collective memory, continuing their journey across time.