Portret van Hieronymus Meiting op 49-jarige leeftijd 1724

Matthäus Sigmund Salomusmüller created this portrait of Hieronymus Meiting at age 49. The most striking element is the hand gesture, where the fingers are extended. This is a motif that has appeared across centuries, echoing the gestures of orators from ancient Rome. We see it revived during the Renaissance and now here, in the 18th century, signaling eloquence and authority. It is a timeless assertion, a claim to knowledge and influence. This gesture is a powerful expression, almost theatrical, revealing an intense desire to communicate, to persuade. The revival and adaptation of classical symbols, like this hand gesture, show how cultural memory can be fluid and deeply psychological. A symbol evolves as it navigates different historical contexts. This portrait embodies a complex layering of cultural meanings that continue to engage us subconsciously.