Portret van Hugo Franz Karl von und zu Eltz zu Kempenich 1723 - 1767

This engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth portrays Hugo Franz Karl von und zu Eltz zu Kempenich. Note the prominent Maltese Cross suspended from a ribbon around his neck. This cross, initially a symbol of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades, signified Christian military virtue. Over centuries, it transcended its original context, reappearing in various forms across Europe, often associated with nobility and chivalry. Consider its echo in later heraldry and orders of knighthood – a testament to its enduring symbolic power. The Maltese Cross, adapted and adopted over time, reveals our collective, often subconscious, desire for order and recognition. It reflects how symbols evolve, their meanings layered and enriched by history. The cross persists, cycling through time, its essence transformed yet retaining its potent visual charge.