Reproductie van Gave van verstand, een prent door Adriaen Collaert naar Maerten de Vos before 1881

This print, reproduced by Adriaen Collaert after Maerten de Vos, depicts the virtue of "Gave van Verstand"—or Understanding—as a radiant female figure. Note her crown of solar rays, a halo-like symbol reminiscent of ancient sun gods, representing divine illumination. She also holds a laurel branch, a classical emblem of victory and intellectual prowess. The laurel, seen in ancient Greek depictions of Apollo, reappears throughout history. We find it adorning Roman emperors, Renaissance poets, and even modern academic regalia. These recurring symbols are not mere repetitions but rather a psychological echo, reverberating through time. The female figure is also presented with architectural features, flanked by ornate columns. This framing is a conscious effort to elevate and monumentalize the virtue, reinforcing its timeless importance. These symbols, deeply embedded in our collective memory, elicit subconscious associations, reminding us of the enduring human quest for knowledge and understanding across the ages. The virtue, in essence, becomes a living, evolving concept, constantly reinterpreted and revitalized.