Portret van een man met bakkebaarden en bril, aangeduid als P.A. Schramm 1860 - 1880

This photograph by Louis Koch presents a man, identified as P. A. Schramm, adorned with distinctive sideburns and spectacles. The glasses act as a potent symbol of intellectualism and insight. In antiquity, scholars were often depicted with scrolls or writing instruments, emblems of learning and wisdom. Here, the spectacles serve a similar purpose, suggesting a connection to knowledge and scholarly pursuits. Interestingly, the modern association of glasses with intellect evolved over centuries. From rudimentary aids to vision, they became markers of literacy and education, signifying not just the ability to see clearly, but also to perceive deeper truths. The man’s confident gaze through the lenses suggests he is a figure who seeks and possesses understanding, an idea that engages the viewer on a deep, subconscious level. Such symbols recur across time, subtly shifting in meaning yet still retaining a powerful resonance, revealing how cultural memory shapes our understanding of the world.