Portret van François Nicolaas Fagel 1747 - 1759

Jacob Houbraken created this portrait of François Nicolaas Fagel using engraving. The sitter, a man of obvious importance, is depicted wearing armor—a symbol of power and protection. This motif has a long lineage, stretching back to ancient Greece and Rome, where rulers and generals were often depicted in military garb to underscore their authority and martial prowess. Over time, the literal armor becomes less about functionality, and more about symbolism. We see the emotional power of this image, too. The armor is cold and rigid, yet the subject's face is soft, even vulnerable. It's an emotional tension that reflects the burden of leadership and the psychological toll of power. The use of armor, therefore, is not merely a representation of military strength but a potent symbol that has evolved through the ages, carrying within it layers of meaning, cultural memory, and psychological resonance.