Portret van André Rivet 1631

Hendrick Hondius I created this engraving of André Rivet, a professor of theology, sometime around the early 17th century. The oval frame and Latin inscription around Rivet’s portrait signal his status and learning. Note, particularly, the inscription "AETATIS LIX," indicating Rivet’s age of 59. Framing a portrait in an oval, a practice that dates back to ancient coins, evolved into a symbol of reverence during the Renaissance. Compare this to the Renaissance portraits framed by wreaths of laurel, symbols of triumph and eternal life borrowed from the Romans. This desire to immortalize an individual by placing him in the canon of historical figures reveals a deep-seated psychological need to connect with the past. It serves not only as a celebration of individual achievement but also as a bridge, connecting past wisdom with present identity, allowing viewers to subconsciously reflect on their place within history. It is a cycle of remembrance, each era building upon the last.