Portret van Philipp Pfaff 1750 - 1811

Georg Christoph Schmidt created this portrait of Philipp Pfaff using engraving techniques. Note the armorial shield below Pfaff. These emblems, originally distinguishing knights in battle, evolved into family symbols. Within this crest, the figure holding a staff echoes images of Hermes, the guide of souls, or Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine. Consider how such symbols persist, transforming over time. The staff of Aesculapius, entwined with a snake, is a symbol seen today signifying medicine, much like the serpent in ancient art representing healing. The emotional resonance of these symbols lies in our collective memory, subtly influencing our perception of Pfaff as a figure of authority and healing. This interplay between past and present, conscious and unconscious, reveals the enduring power of symbols.