Portret van Veit Müller 1596

In Jakob Lederlein's 1596 engraving, we see Veit Müller, a professor of ethics, framed within an emblematic oval. The open book in Müller’s hands is a potent symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and the transmission of ideas. This motif of the book echoes across centuries and cultures. Consider the ancient Egyptian scribes, their papyrus scrolls representing a mastery of the written word, or the illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period, each page a testament to divine knowledge. The book, however, evolves. In earlier eras, it signified sacred, often esoteric wisdom, accessible only to a select few. Here, in Müller's portrait, the book suggests a more humanist approach – knowledge as a tool for ethical and intellectual engagement. The act of holding a book is not merely about literacy; it’s about the psychological weight of learning, the quiet contemplation of ideas. We are drawn to the image, subconsciously recognizing the power inherent in the pursuit of knowledge. This emblem, rooted in ancient traditions, resurfaces here, transformed, bearing new meanings in a changing world.