Portret van Nicolaas Bulius 1615

Jacob Matham’s engraving portrays Nicolaas Bulius, a man immortalized through ink and paper. The image is framed by an oval border, inscribed with Latin text that speaks of Bulius’s life and passing, at the age of 53. The star or floral motif near Bulius’s name is a symbol laden with historical weight. We see its echoes in ancient Mesopotamian art, where the star represented divinity, and later in Christian iconography, guiding the Magi. Here, it marks an individual, yet hints at a celestial journey. Consider how this symbol has journeyed through time, shedding and gaining meanings. It’s a testament to our collective memory, resurfacing in different guises, each time charged with new emotional and psychological energy. This is not merely a portrait; it’s a constellation of symbols, each a portal to the past.