Medaillons met portretten van Aristides, Cato de Oude en Flaminius 1789 - 1809

Reinier Vinkeles created this print of medallions portraying Aristides, Cato the Elder, and Flaminius. The arrangement invites us to consider its structure: three oval portraits ascend a grey wall, while two cherubic figures to the right hold the last portrait. The monochrome palette underscores a study in contrasts between the smoothness of the medallions and the textured stone wall. Structurally, the composition plays with the concept of portraiture itself. By placing these figures within medallions, Vinkeles suggests a form of immortalization, reminiscent of ancient Roman practices. The cherubs, symbols of innocence and timelessness, reinforce this notion, suggesting that these historical figures are not just remembered, but perpetually revered. Vinkeles uses the print to engage with semiotics of power, memory and representation. The medallions are not simply portraits, but also signs encoding cultural values and historical narratives. Consider how each element contributes to a broader dialogue about how we construct and maintain collective memory.