Portret van Godfried van Mierlo, bisschop van Haarlem 1681 - 1726

François van Bleyswijck etched this portrait of Godfried van Mierlo, Bishop of Haarlem, capturing a man of both spiritual and worldly authority. The Bishop is surrounded by symbols that speak volumes. Note the presence of the crucifix. This is not merely a symbol of faith, but an anchor connecting the Bishop to centuries of Christian iconography, of suffering and redemption found in Byzantine mosaics and Renaissance paintings. Look how its presence in this 18th-century portrait evokes a shared visual language. Consider too, the skull and hourglass. These symbols appear in vanitas paintings across Europe, constantly reminding us of the transience of life. Even symbols of mortality evolve; these motifs echo through time, adapting, yet forever tied to our primal awareness of death. These enduring symbols transcend individual artworks. They tap into a collective memory, triggering emotional and psychological responses that connect us to our ancestors.