Portret van Charles Patin 1653 - 1675

This engraving, made by Claude Lefèbvre around 1662, depicts Charles Patin, a doctor. Encircling his portrait, we see the inscription "Carolus Patin Doctor Medicus Parisiensis," which presents him as an authority in medicine and a member of the scholarly elite. The oval frame itself evokes ancient Roman portraiture, a visual echo of power and intellectualism. Consider the fur stole draped over his shoulders. In ancient Mesopotamia, the fleece was a symbol of piety and later, in the Renaissance, of wealth. Here, the soft fur contrasts with the stern gaze, adding a layer of complexity to his persona, hinting at a man of both substance and intellect. This motif is far from linear; its meaning ebbs and flows, resurfacing and evolving through history. In our collective memory, it evokes a complex mix of luxury and intellect, and, in this image, engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level.