Portret van Samuel Maresius 1655

This is a portrait of Samuel Maresius by Jacob van Meurs, an engraving made in 1655. Notice the open book prominently displayed beside him, alongside the shelf packed with many more. The book, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, is not merely an attribute here; it is actively presented, almost offered to the viewer. The motif of the open book extends back to antiquity, appearing in depictions of philosophers and saints, each time signifying enlightenment and divine wisdom. One can trace its evolution through medieval manuscripts to Renaissance paintings, where it signifies humanism and scholarly pursuit, and now here. Consider the gesture of the hand upon the chest. It's a subtle but powerful indication of sincerity and authority. These symbols, passed down through art history, tap into our collective memory, evoking feelings of respect and reverence for knowledge. It reflects a deeply ingrained cultural respect for learning and scholarly authority. The past is never truly gone; it resurfaces, transformed, in the images that shape our present.