Portret van Johann Friedrich Mayer 1665 - 1721

This portrait of Johann Friedrich Mayer was created by Christian Romstet. Note the laurel wreath encircling Mayer, a motif plucked straight from antiquity. In ancient Greece and Rome, the laurel signified triumph and immortality, often bestowed upon victorious generals or athletes. But consider its evolution: from adorning the heads of emperors, as seen in countless Roman busts, to framing the likeness of a 17th-century figure. This continuity, this Nachleben, reveals the enduring human desire for recognition and remembrance. The wreath whispers of power and prestige, yet it also hints at the vanity inherent in such symbols. Think of the psychological weight carried by such motifs; a subconscious link to past glories, resurfacing in new contexts, subtly shifting in meaning, yet always echoing humanity's deep-seated aspirations.