Suzanne Jongmans created this portrait as a reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous image of a young woman. In doing so, she translates the shift from spirituality to reason in the early Renaissance into a contemporary context. In a world where technology and materialism often prevail, the symbols in this work refer to the power of awareness and inner transformation.
The woman wears a medieval band with a cross-shaped spool at the place of the third eye, a reference to the spirit transcending matter. In contrast to the gemstones seen in traditional portraits, this emphasizes that true strength lies not in outward wealth, but in the ability to shape one’s own reality.
The use of repurposed materials, such as packaging, also plays a significant role. The idea of Art Trouvé – art made from everyday objects – serves as a reminder that the ordinary can be transformed into something extraordinary. This work invites the viewer to look beyond what is visible and to recognize the power of the mind in creating meaning.