Portret van Jakob Oechsel op 50-jarige leeftijd 1575

This engraving portrays Jakob Oechsel at age 50, its creator remains unknown. Oechsel is framed by cherubic figures and heraldic ornaments, symbols of divinity, lineage, and power, deeply embedded in the social fabric of his time. Consider the cherubs, echoing the putti of classical antiquity, yet infused with Christian connotations of innocence and divine messengers. These motifs transcend their original contexts, resurfacing in Renaissance art as emblems of wealth and cultural sophistication. Here, their presence elevates Oechsel's status. Note how the cherub motif has been transformed through epochs, shifting from pagan iconography to Christian allegory, and then to symbols of secular power. This non-linear trajectory illustrates how cultural memory operates, subconsciously influencing artists and viewers alike, demonstrating the enduring power of symbols to evoke primal, emotional responses.