Portret van Ludolf Bakhuysen 1708 - 1780

Jacob Houbraken’s sanguine drawing portrays Ludolf Bakhuysen, encircled by an elaborate frame. The frame itself, a baroque cartouche, speaks of status and authority. These frames, often found adorning portraits throughout the ages, are more than mere decoration; they are symbolic enclosures. Consider the laurel leaves, a motif stretching back to ancient Greece, signifying triumph and artistic prowess. The frame protects and presents the sitter, much like how a reliquary holds sacred relics. Yet, the cartouche is also a stage, elevating Bakhuysen for public admiration. In Renaissance portraiture, a similar visual strategy can be observed. A painted border or window might frame the subject, setting them apart from the ordinary, presenting them as an object of veneration. This concept has its roots in ancient Roman funerary art, where portrait busts were framed to honor the deceased. The impulse to immortalize, to elevate through visual framing, is a recurring theme in our collective visual memory. It’s a testament to humanity’s deep-seated desire to transcend mortality.