Portret van Sir Roger L'Estrange 1670 - 1725

This is Michiel van der Gucht's portrait of Sir Roger L'Estrange, captured in print. Encircling L'Estrange is an oval wreath. The inscription 'VOS NON VOBIS' suggests a life lived not for oneself, but for others. The wreath, a motif echoing classical antiquity, reappears throughout history in various guises, adorning heroes and signifying victory. Think of laurel wreaths crowning Roman emperors. Yet, here, its presence speaks more to civic duty than personal triumph. Below the portrait, a heraldic shield further cements L'Estrange’s identity and lineage. The inscription’s sentiment carries a potent psychological weight. It reflects a tension between personal ambition and societal expectation. This is a visual representation of the complex dance between individual desires and collective needs, a dance deeply embedded in our cultural memory. It touches upon our subconscious understanding of duty and self-sacrifice. The wreath, in turn, embodies a community's acknowledgment of such a life. Thus, we witness how symbols persist, evolve, and echo across centuries.