Self-Portrait c. 1735

This is a self-portrait made in carved wood by Nicolaas Seuntjes. The work is framed by a lavish display of naturalistic motifs. Notice the prominent shell at the top, crowned by floral ornamentation. The shell, an ancient symbol of pilgrimage and rebirth, hearkens back to its association with Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, often depicted emerging from a seashell. This motif, carried through the ages, reappears in Botticelli’s Renaissance masterpiece, *The Birth of Venus*. Here, Seuntjes may be alluding to the transformative power of artistic creation, suggesting that, like Venus, the artist is born anew through his work. The naturalistic motifs evoke a sense of vitality, but also of the cyclical progression of life and death. These symbols have a deep resonance, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of our own mortality and the enduring power of art to transcend time. The image embodies a powerful force, tapping into our collective memory.