Nicolas Potier de Novion 1664

This is Robert Nanteuil’s portrait of Nicolas Potier de Novion, made with engraving. Notice the wreath encircling the portrait. The wreath is a symbol of victory and honor, common in classical antiquity, and its presence here suggests the high esteem in which Nicolas Potier de Novion was held. This motif of the wreath reappears across time and cultures, from ancient Roman emperors to Renaissance paintings. It acts as a visual echo connecting figures of authority and reverence through centuries. Interestingly, the ribbon motif is intertwined with the wreath, as a symbol of unity. Ribbons also appear in a variety of contexts, from religious to secular settings. Here we see how symbols are never static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface, carrying layers of accumulated meaning, linking us to the past in profound and often subconscious ways.