Portret van Johan de Witt 1672 - 1731

This engraving of Johan de Witt was made by Pieter van Gunst, likely around the turn of the 18th century. The oval frame around his portrait is itself a potent symbol, harking back to ancient Roman portraiture. The 'imago clipeata', a portrait within a round or oval shield, was used to honor ancestors and emphasize lineage and virtue. Notice how the frame isolates de Witt, presenting him almost as a relic or a treasured memory. The act of framing is itself a powerful gesture, used to elevate and commemorate. Yet, it also suggests a sense of distance, as if we are observing him from afar, through the lens of history. It echoes the Renaissance revival of classical forms, yet, it subtly shifts its meaning. No longer just about lineage, the frame now speaks to memory, history, and perhaps even the weight of the past. Consider the way these symbols resurface, adapt, and continue to engage us on a primal, subconscious level.