Hans Gram 1703 - 1757

This engraving of Hans Gram was rendered by Johann Christoph Sysang. The flamboyant wig and draped fabric are more than mere fashion; they’re potent symbols of status and intellect. Consider how, since antiquity, leaders and thinkers have been depicted with gravity, often framed by classical elements. Here, Gram is set within an oval, atop a pedestal that is inscribed with his name. These motifs appear across epochs, from Roman busts to Renaissance portraits, each iteration echoing past grandeur while adapting to contemporary ideals. The act of memorializing figures in this way evokes a deep-seated psychological need to immortalize, to connect with our forebears, and to negotiate our own place in history. It’s a theatrical assertion of permanence. The symbols have a life of their own, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.