Portret van Pierre-Laurent Buirette de Belloy vastgehouden door een genie op een wolk met rechts de personificatie van de stad Calais 1767

This print portrays Pierre-Laurent Buirette de Belloy, and it presents us with a fascinating array of symbols from its time. We see a genius figure, cherubs, clouds, and the personification of the city of Calais, each element laden with meaning and indicative of the cultural values of that era. Consider the genius figure, who presents a portrait of de Belloy to the city of Calais. We see similar winged figures in antiquity, often associated with victory or divine intervention. This motif has evolved through history, reappearing in Renaissance art as symbols of inspiration and skill. The genius figure has changed through time, reflecting society’s changing ideals and collective memory. The choice of these symbols engages us on a deep, subconscious level; the winged figures elicit feelings of hope and protection, tapping into our shared cultural memory. The genius figure persists in our collective consciousness, and its non-linear progression reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, as they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.