Portret van Aubertus Miraeus 1682 - 1730

Jacobus Harrewijn's print portrays Aubertus Miraeus, a man framed by symbols that speak volumes of his era and aspirations. Above Miraeus hovers his coat of arms, emblazoned with the motto "Futura Prospice"—look to the future. This phrase echoes through time, reminiscent of the Roman concept of "Memento Mori," a reminder of mortality urging one to consider the future, or perhaps, eternity. It is a visual echo that binds the past with the present, urging the viewer to ponder their place in the grand tapestry of time. The act of looking forward has a complex psychological dimension. It reflects not only a hope for posterity, but also perhaps a deeper anxiety about legacy. Harrewijn's work encapsulates this tension, reminding us that the symbols we choose to define ourselves are destined to be reinterpreted by future eyes. It is in this cyclical progression of meaning that the true life of images resides.