Portret van François Duaren, professor in de rechten aan de Universiteit van Bourges 1556

Giorgio Ghisi created this engraving of François Duaren, a law professor at the University of Bourges, sometime between 1515 and 1582. Here, the sitter's hat is particularly striking, and its significance is deeply rooted in the history of academic regalia. The hat, a symbol of knowledge and authority, traces its origins back to the medieval universities. Consider how it mirrors the hats worn by figures in ancient philosophical schools, such as those depicted in Renaissance frescoes. The portrait, with its carefully rendered details, engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, stirring a potent mix of reverence and intellectual curiosity. The hat embodies a legacy of intellectual pursuit that resonates across centuries. In this way, symbols evolve, carrying echoes of the past into the present.