Portrait of Victor Amédée, roi de Sairdaigne 1777

Augustin de Saint-Aubin created this print portraying Victor Amédée, King of Sardinia. Dominating the composition is a regal eagle, the fierce protector and wise ruler of the skies, perched above the oval portrait. Two lions, symbols of courage and nobility, rest beneath the King's likeness. Consider the eagle and lion motifs. We see them echoed through time, from ancient Roman standards to heraldic emblems across Europe. In ancient Egypt, the lion was associated with solar power and royalty, while the eagle was linked to vision and divine authority. The juxtaposition of these symbols speaks to the intertwined concepts of earthly power and divine right. It is a visual language deeply embedded in our collective memory, continually evoked and reshaped by each culture that adopts it. These are not mere decorations, but potent emblems that stir deep-seated emotions and project authority across centuries.