Portret van Alexander Morus 1604 - 1670

This is a portrait of Alexander Morus, made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger. Note the gesture of Morus’s hand upon his chest, a visual language that echoes through centuries. It's a formal, yet intimate, portrayal of the theologian and scholar. The hand-on-chest motif is a window into the Renaissance's fascination with classical rhetoric and the art of oration. The gesture itself finds echoes in ancient depictions of philosophers and orators, signifying sincerity, reflection, and the weight of one's own words. One can find similar gestures in the visual and theatrical arts across Europe. This symbolic language is not merely aesthetic. It engages our collective memory, tapping into subconscious understandings of trust, authority, and introspection. It’s a powerful force that evokes deep, subconscious recognition, creating a bridge across time and culture.