print, engraving
portrait
baroque
dutch-golden-age
old engraving style
traditional media
history-painting
northern-renaissance
engraving
Dimensions: height 203 mm, width 132 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Pieter de Bailliu etched this portrait of Johann Leuber in the 17th century, a vision steeped in symbols of authority and status. Note the chain, draped across Leuber's chest. The chain has been a recurring motif throughout history, from ancient empires to royal courts, symbolizing power, connection, and hierarchy. It binds the wearer to a network of obligations, yet also elevates them within that structure. The chain, a visual echo of social bonds, reminds us of the intricate webs of power and influence that define human societies, resonating with our subconscious understanding of social order. In the centuries that followed, the chain has resurfaced, evolving from a symbol of aristocratic lineage to a marker of civic duty or even rebellion. The cyclical progression of this symbol reflects our continuous negotiation with power, its meaning shifting with each historical context, yet its primal impact remains.
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