Portret van priester Nicolaus van Esch 1696 - 1721

This engraving, made by Jan Baptist Berterham, captures the likeness of priest Nicolaus van Esch. Observe the book held delicately in his hands, a symbol of knowledge and divine wisdom, deeply rooted in Christian iconography. This motif of the book transcends time. Think of ancient philosophers like Plato or religious figures holding scrolls or codices, representing their teachings and revelations. Consider the shift: from sacred texts illuminating the path to salvation, to emblems of intellectual power, driving the Renaissance and Reformation. The act of holding the book is imbued with a profound emotional and psychological power. It signifies not only learning but also the weight of responsibility and the authority derived from understanding. This image engages us on a subconscious level, evoking our own relationship with knowledge and belief. Like the ouroboros—the snake eating its own tail—this symbol shows the cyclical progression of knowledge, resurfacing and evolving through history, constantly reborn in new contexts.