Portret van Johannes Cuchlinus 1749 - 1780

This is Jacob Houbraken’s portrait of Johannes Cuchlinus. Observe how Cuchlinus is framed within an oval border, a shape that evokes the Renaissance concept of the "ut pictura poesis" – as is painting, so is poetry. This emblem transcends mere aesthetics, venturing into the realms of cultural memory. The oval, reminiscent of the "mandorla" in medieval art, symbolizes a sacred space, often enveloping Christ or the Virgin Mary. Here, the oval sanctifies Cuchlinus, elevating his likeness. Note also the ruff collar, a symbol of status and civic virtue. This collar, descended from the opulent court fashion of the 16th century, evolved into a symbol of sober respectability among the Dutch bourgeoisie. It embodies the tension between aristocratic display and republican values, a silent dialogue between personal identity and collective ideals. Like constellations in the night sky, symbols traverse the epochs, their meanings refracted and reconfigured by the cultural prisms of each age.