Portretten van Seleucus I en Ptolemaeus I Possibly 1610 - 1654

Here, on the pages of an open book in the Rijksmuseum, are the ‘Portretten van Seleucus I en Ptolemaeus I’, made by an anonymous artist. The diptych presents two figures, each enclosed in an oval frame, a composition that creates a sense of formal balance. The artist uses the contrast between light and shadow to define the contours of their faces and clothing. This is a visual strategy that gives the sitters volume and presence. Each portrait employs lines and shading to convey texture, from the smoothness of skin to the intricate details of the armor. The effect is one of restrained elegance, befitting the status of the figures depicted. The book format invites a semiotic reading, where each portrait functions as a signifier of power and authority. The symmetry of the layout suggests a structured view of history. The book is a cultural artifact which frames our understanding of these historical figures, reminding us that meaning is always mediated through representation.