Portret van Johann Heinrich Horb 1692 - 1694

Pieter van den Berge rendered this portrait of Johann Heinrich Horb in ink, immortalizing a man of evident importance. The circular inscription is particularly striking. Encircling Horb, it evokes the ancient motif of the Ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, a symbol laden with meanings of cyclical return, eternity, and the perpetual renewal of life. This symbol resonates deeply within the collective unconscious, suggesting not only the continuity of Horb's legacy, but also the endless recurrence of human experience. Consider its echoes in alchemy, where it signifies transformation, and in Gnostic traditions, where it embodies the self-consuming nature of material existence. The Ouroboros is not merely a decorative element; it’s a profound symbol of the eternal dance between creation and destruction. This image engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the patterns that connect us to the past, the present, and the future. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, reflecting the cyclical progression of symbols through time.