Portret van een zittende man 1850 - 1874

Alexandre Ken created this portrait of a seated man, likely around the mid-19th century, using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Observe the chalice resting on the table. Such vessels, symbols of abundance and divine offering, echo through centuries, from ancient Greek libations to Christian Eucharist. This symbol is not static, though. Consider how a similar vessel appears in a medieval painting of the Last Supper. Here, however, it has undergone a transformation. It is a mere decorative element, yet the subconscious association with ceremony and importance lingers. The book and the chalice—symbols of knowledge and spiritual wealth—tap into our collective memory, evoking feelings of reverence and intellectual pursuit. This image is more than a record; it is a carefully constructed tableau designed to resonate with deep-seated cultural memories. Symbols such as the chalice re-emerge, transformed yet still tethered to their ancient origins, bearing witness to the ceaseless, cyclical dance of history and human consciousness.