Portret van Hermann Haffner op 28-jarige leeftijd after 1665

This is a 1665 engraving by Johann Friedrich Leonard depicting Hermann Haffner at the age of 28. Encircling Haffner's likeness is an octagon inscribed with text, heraldic symbols, and floral ornamentation, all rich with the symbolic language of status and identity. Consider the frame itself – a motif echoed across centuries, from ancient Roman portraiture to Renaissance medals. It proclaims importance but also containment, presenting the subject as both an individual and a representative of broader social categories. The rigid frame is softened by foliage and stars, suggesting a harmonious relationship between the individual and their environment. This motif of stars, often associated with fate or divine guidance, can be traced back to classical antiquity. Such visual strategies reveal our subconscious desire to preserve memory and identity. The octagon, a shape halfway between a circle and a square, suggests the cyclical, ever-changing nature of life, and how identity is constantly redefined in relation to social order and the passing of time. These symbols and forms return, evolving through time and contexts, constantly engaging us.