Portret van Johannes Fernelius 1574 - 1612

Pieter van der Borcht created this engraving of Johannes Fernelius, a prominent physician, likely during the late 16th century. The portrait is framed by elaborate symbols—lions, bears, eagles, fruit, and an owl. The owl, often associated with wisdom and knowledge, is a prominent motif throughout history. Interestingly, the owl has not always been a positive symbol. In some ancient cultures, it was associated with darkness, death, and the underworld. However, its association with the Greek goddess Athena gradually transformed the owl into a symbol of intellect and strategic wisdom. This transformation is not linear but a complex dance of cultural memory. The image, therefore, is not merely a portrait but a visual embodiment of Fernelius's intellectual prowess, linking him to a lineage of thinkers and wisdom figures that resonates deeply with our collective cultural psyche. The non-linear progression of symbols, their resurfacing, evolution, and new meanings in differing historical contexts, is a testament to the complex interplay between cultural memory and the evolution of human thought.