Portret van Theodor Ghiesler 1647

This engraving by Elias Widemann, created in 1647, depicts a portrait of Theodor Ghiesler, a Dutch Colonel. The print is framed in an oval, with Ghiesler's name and title inscribed around the perimeter. Ghiesler is portrayed in a formal pose, dressed in a lace collar and a military uniform. The inscription beneath the portrait reads “Nemo ante finem beatus,” Latin for “No one is happy before the end,” a reminder of life’s unpredictable nature. The engraving is part of the Rijksmuseum collection, offering a glimpse into the visual culture and historical figures of 17th-century Dutch society.