Portret van Cornelis Bouman 1741

Cornelis Troost rendered this portrait of Cornelis Bouman with pen in gray and watercolor in the early 18th century. The act of presenting an image, as Bouman does here, has deep roots. Consider the 'ostentatio genitalium', the ritual display of genitalia, meant to ward off evil. Here, the small picture takes on a protective power, a talisman against obscurity. Bouman’s open book reminds us of the ancient library at Alexandria, a symbol of accumulated knowledge and cultural memory. Such symbols resurface across time. Bouman's gesture, though refined, echoes the primal need to display and protect. We find this instinct in countless forms throughout art history, a testament to the enduring power of symbols and the collective subconscious. It's a potent display meant to emotionally resonate, and, perhaps, to subtly intimidate.