Portret van Justus Lipsius 1612 - 1616

Peter Paul Rubens rendered this portrait of Justus Lipsius with oil on canvas. The eye is drawn to the fur stole draped over Lipsius's shoulders, a spotted lynx that speaks volumes about status and intellect. The wearing of animal pelts dates back to antiquity, often denoting power, courage, and even a primal connection to nature. Consider the leopard skin worn by Dionysus, a symbol of untamed energy and ecstatic knowledge. Over time, the wearing of furs evolved into a marker of nobility and learnedness. The lynx here suggests Lipsius's sharp intellect. The fur in Rubens's portrait serves not merely as a fashion statement but as a powerful emblem. This visual echo reminds us that symbols evolve, yet their primal roots remain embedded, subconsciously influencing our perception across centuries.