Two royal lives gleanings at Berlin and from the lives of their Imperial Highness the crown Prince and Princess of Germany 1887

This book, "Two Royal Lives," by Dorothea Roberts, presents us with a fascinating study of symbols and iconography that transcends its immediate subject matter. The portraits of the Crown Prince and Princess, presented in twin circular frames, evoke the classical tradition of royal portraiture, yet they also speak to a modern desire for intimacy and connection. Consider the use of paired portraits. This motif appears throughout history, from ancient Roman imperial diptychs to Renaissance wedding portraits. The arrangement suggests not just individual identity, but also partnership, lineage, and the continuation of power. But here, the softness of the portraits hints at a more domestic narrative. The very act of portraying royalty in such a familiar way taps into a deep-seated psychological need to connect with those in power. This is part of the cyclical progression of image-making, where the aura of the divine is made human and relatable, only to be re-mystified again in later ages.