Portret van Gottfried Schilter 1665 - 1721

This portrait of Godofredus Schilterus, made in 1679 by Christian Romstet, is replete with symbols and iconography. Schilterus is framed by a laurel wreath, a classical motif signifying victory and eternal life, often associated with Apollo, the god of light and reason. Note the crosses that flank the image, and the crown at the top, symbols deeply rooted in Christian tradition. These are not mere decorations; they speak to a complex interplay of religious and secular authority, echoing motifs found in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings. The image reminds us of the "Dionysian" and "Apollonian," forces of impulse and reason. Consider the evolution of the laurel wreath, from ancient Greece to its adoption in Roman imperial imagery, then its resurgence during the Renaissance as a symbol of humanist achievement. We are dealing with cultural memory, not mere visual repetition. The arrangement of these symbols is more than design, it is the embodiment of cultural forces. They engage viewers on a subconscious level, evoking powerful emotions tied to faith, power, and immortality.