Portret van Frans Schollaert 1888 - 1909

Auguste Danse created this portrait of Frans Schollaert, using etching, a dance of controlled corrosion to fix an image onto metal. Schollaert is adorned with symbols of status, but look closely at the sash and medals. These aren't mere decorations; they are a visual language of power and belonging, reminiscent of the laurel wreaths and togas of Roman senators. Consider how such emblems echo through history. The star motif, prominently displayed, carries echoes of ancient celestial worship, reborn in the heraldry of nobility. Even today, we see similar symbols in military uniforms and academic regalia, each a marker of achievement and authority. The human psyche, ever drawn to archetypes, responds deeply to these visual cues. We imbue them with meaning, consciously or not, perpetuating their influence across generations. As we observe the non-linear progression of symbols, we see how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.