Portret van Johannes Cocceius 1654 - 1669

This is a portrait of Johannes Cocceius made by G. Wingendorp. The open book and the quill in Cocceius’ hand are not mere details; they symbolize knowledge, wisdom, and the act of interpretation. The book, an ancient symbol of learning, appears in various forms throughout history, from the scrolls of antiquity to the codices of the Middle Ages. The quill, a tool of transformation, allows thoughts to be recorded and shared. Note the subject’s dark garb, a visual motif repeated through time. These dark colors are somber and serious, suggesting authority, intellect, and contemplation. Consider the depiction of Saint Jerome, often shown with a book and quill, engaged in his scholarly pursuits. In these images, the act of writing becomes a divine connection. Similarly, the book and quill have appeared time and again to represent the act of bearing witness, the recording of histories, the passing down of memories. The image reveals a profound connection between the symbolic representation of learning and the psychological act of remembering. Each symbol contains an echo of past interpretations, ready to be renewed by the viewer.