Portret van André Gill c. 1873 - 1878

This is Etienne Carjat's portrait of André Gill. André Gill was a French caricaturist, and the image is filled with symbols reflecting his artistic identity. Notice the caricature on the facing page, a whimsical figure, perhaps Gill's alter ego. He carries a staff, topped with a rabbit head, a symbol with ancient roots in fertility and rebirth, yet here, it seems to mock the seriousness of traditional portraiture. Consider the jester-like costume: This figure, in its garb, echoes the medieval fool, a character licensed to mock the powerful and reveal uncomfortable truths. The jester's role was to challenge authority and expose the absurdities of the court. Here, Gill, through his caricatures, adopts this role, using humor as a tool for social commentary. This is a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols, resurfacing across centuries, transformed, but still resonant with their primal energy. They engage us on a subconscious level, drawing us into a dialogue across time.