Portret van J.C. Schruers 1787

This is a portrait of J.C. Schruers, made by J.F. De La Rue. The portrait is framed within an oval, a shape that has carried connotations of containment and encapsulation through the ages. Consider, for instance, the use of the ovoid form in ancient sarcophagi, as though holding not just the body, but also the essence of the person within. The frame around Schruers evokes this sense of preservation, but also, perhaps, a subtle suggestion of restraint. The hat, worn at a jaunty angle, signals a certain societal status. This headwear can be seen echoed in later military uniforms across Europe, becoming symbols of power and regimentation. Here, it's a civilian, but it is cut from the same cloth. Ultimately, the portrait, with its framed containment and jaunty hat, speaks to our desire to capture a moment, to hold onto the image of a person frozen in time, even as history moves on.