Portret van Johann Jacob Datt von Tiefenau 1652

This engraving portrays Johann Jacob Datt von Tiefenau, its fine lines capturing the rigid formality of the 17th century. The lace collar, a symbol of status, frames his face, a detail that speaks volumes of his societal standing. Consider the oval frame, a shape echoing ancient Roman portraiture, harking back to the busts of emperors and philosophers, immortalizing them for posterity. This motif resurfaces throughout history, adopted by the Renaissance and Baroque periods to emphasize the importance of the individual. The formality of the portrait, the stern gaze, and the controlled posture, all mirror a desire to project authority and stability in a world of constant change. The portrait becomes a stage, where the sitter performs his role, not merely as an individual, but as a representative of his lineage and his place in the social order. This echoes a deep, almost primal, need for order and permanence, a psychological anchor in turbulent times.