Portret van Nicholas Kalliakis 1682

Martial Desbois created this portrait of Nicholas Kalliakis using engraving techniques sometime between 1640 and 1700, offering us a glimpse into the world of 17th-century intellectual society. This image encapsulates the complex interplay between identity and societal role, and Nicholas Kalliakis is presented here as a man of considerable stature. The inscription that surrounds the portrait identifies him as being from Crete, and as an esteemed professor of philosophy. Consider how the portrait's formality, with its meticulous detail and classical presentation, positions Kalliakis within a context of power and academic achievement. Yet, it also invites us to reflect on the dynamics of representation. What does it mean to be remembered in this way, through the lens of an artist who, like Kalliakis, navigated the cultural and intellectual currents of their time? Think about how portraiture, then and now, serves to immortalize and construct identity, leaving us with a mediated version of a person's life.