Auguste-Jean-Marie Guénepin II 1809

This is a pencil drawing portraying Auguste-Jean-Marie Guénepin II, made by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres. Note the book in his hands, a symbol rich with historical weight. The book, archetypically, represents knowledge, wisdom, and learning. It’s a vessel that carries ideas across generations. In ancient times, holding a scroll or codex signified status and intellect. Now, think of other portraits in art history where prominent figures are depicted with books. In the Renaissance, they symbolized humanism, the revival of classical learning. The act of presenting a book serves as more than just a prop; it is an assertion of the subject’s intellectual prowess and alignment with scholarly traditions. It is a non-linear, cyclical progression of this symbol, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.