Portret van Henri Adriaen Verrassel c. 1792 - 1834

This portrait of Henri Adriaen Verrassel was rendered by Lambertus Antonius Claessens in monochrome print. The subject's powdered wig and formal attire immediately situate him within a specific societal stratum of the late 18th century, a symbol of power and status. Note the garland beneath the portrait, a motif stretching back to classical antiquity where wreaths signified honor and celebration. These garlands remind us of ancient Roman triumphs, adapted here to celebrate civic or personal accomplishment. The circular frame—a recurring symbol through the ages in devotional images of the Madonna—evolves here into a secular emblem of admiration, encapsulating the sitter’s likeness, and elevating his presence. This transformation of religious iconography into a secular context illustrates how symbols migrate, retaining traces of their former significance. The portrait taps into our collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level, and evoking a sense of timelessness.