Portret van Gregorio Leti 1689

Jacob Gole’s engraving presents us with Gregorio Leti, framed by symbols of status and intellect. Note the elaborate cartouche and coat-of-arms: marks of nobility and personal identity. The wig, far from mere fashion, speaks of power, its cascading curls a visual echo of ancient depictions of river gods, symbols of overflowing abundance and influence. But let us delve deeper, tracing the wig's evolution. From royal coiffures to the powdered styles of the French court, the wig became inextricably linked with authority. Yet, within it, lingers a primal echo—hair as a signifier of virility, of untamed energy tamed and molded into a symbol of control. Observe how this image resonates with others across time—the imposing portraits of Roman emperors or Renaissance monarchs, all projecting strength through carefully constructed artifice. Here, in Leti, we see a similar dance between nature and control, a tension that continues to shape our understanding of power and identity. It's a visual rhythm that echoes through the ages.