Portret van Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz 1737

This is an engraving of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, made by Johann Benjamin Brühl. Here, Leibniz is portrayed with a voluminous wig, a symbol of status and intellectual prowess in his time. This elaborate hairstyle, far from being mere fashion, echoes the lion's mane, a symbol of strength and wisdom stretching back to ancient mythologies. Consider, for instance, the depictions of heroes and gods adorned with similar flowing locks in Roman sculptures; this connection evokes a continuity of power and intellect. Across centuries, this symbol resurfaces, each time imbued with new cultural meanings. The wig’s transformation from a symbol of virility to one of refined intellect reveals the dynamic, cyclical nature of cultural memory. It speaks to our collective, subconscious desire to connect with archetypes of power and knowledge, continually reshaping them to fit our present understanding.