Portret van Joannes Buingha, wiskundige en boekhouder 1627

Salomon Savery's engraving presents Joannes Buingha, mathematician and bookkeeper, framed by symbolic inscriptions. The name of the subject is surrounded by the phrase "Timeas. Recte faciendo neminem," which refers to "Fearing to do anything dishonestly." The radiant sun above Buingha’s head echoes the divine authority associated with knowledge and truth throughout history. We see similar solar symbols in ancient Egyptian art, representing Ra, the sun god, and later in Renaissance emblems of enlightenment and intellectual prowess. This symbol reflects a profound connection to ancient ideals of wisdom. Yet, here, it is placed above the figure of a bookkeeper, a seemingly mundane profession. This juxtaposition highlights the evolving status of intellect and the shifting cultural values that elevate practical knowledge. The visual language of the image, resonating with enduring symbols of divine wisdom, engages our collective memory and invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of human values and the evolution of cultural symbols.