Portret van Lodewijk Antoon Reyphins, 1828 1828 - 1830

This is a portrait of Lodewijk Antoon Reyphins, made in 1828 by P. Gillo. Note the medal pinned to his coat. It is not merely an ornament; it is a symbol, a condensed narrative of merit and service. Consider the ancient Roman use of laurel wreaths, awarded to triumphant generals – an honor, we might say, that sprouted from the collective psyche’s need to recognize valor. Now, fast forward through the corridors of time: these emblems of recognition metamorphose into medieval heraldry, then into the orders and decorations of the modern era. The underlying impulse remains unchanged. The medal in this portrait carries echoes of those earlier symbols, yet its specific form reflects a new set of values tied to national identity and civic duty. It also speaks to a deep-seated human desire for recognition, for our deeds to be etched into the collective memory, not unlike the figures in Renaissance paintings adorned with the insignia of their rank. The portrait then becomes an engagement with our shared human story.