Portret van Johann Helfried Jörger von Tollet 1646

This print, made in 1646 by Elias Wideman, depicts Johann Helfried Jörger von Tollet. The symbols surrounding the portrait offer us insight into his status and era. Note the inscription "FIDE, SED CVI VIDE," meaning "Trust, but be careful whom you trust," a motto encircled within the image. Such mottos were common in emblems, offering moral guidance and reflecting the subject's values. This emblem points to a world of courtly intrigue, reminding us of the constant negotiations for power and influence that defined Jörger von Tollet’s world. Consider how such emblems have evolved, appearing in various forms from ancient coins to Renaissance tapestries, each time adapted to reflect new cultural anxieties and aspirations. This use of imagery is a constant return to the past, a cultural echo that allows us to understand how history shapes our present. This image speaks to us on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us that the past is never truly gone; it lives on in our symbols, our stories, and our shared human experience.