Zelfportret 1675 - 1677

This is Stephan Strauch’s self-portrait, an etching made in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Strauch presents himself with a cascade of curls, a style reminiscent of ancient depictions of river gods, symbolizing the life-giving and ever-flowing nature of creativity. Consider the recurring image of flowing hair in art history. In Botticelli's Venus, her hair symbolizes fertility and rebirth, a connection to nature's vital forces. This motif is echoed through time, even into Klimt's golden portraits, where hair becomes an opulent expression of sensuality and the subconscious. It’s as though the very act of depicting flowing hair taps into a collective memory, a primal recognition of nature's untamed power. In Strauch's portrait, the hair evokes an emotional intensity, a reminder of our deep, often subconscious connection to the natural world. These symbols persist, evolving yet forever tethered to their origins.