Portret van de markies van Ávila en Boloma. before 1871

This is a portrait of the Marquis of Ávila and Bolama, an engraving of modest size by an anonymous artist. The subject’s gaze meets ours directly, his attire formal, announcing his status. Consider the portrait’s role in conveying prestige, a visual language that echoes through centuries. Think back to ancient Roman busts or Renaissance royal portraits, where the sitter’s gaze and posture were carefully constructed to project power and authority. The way the Marquis presents himself is a dance with the past, a repetition with slight variation on an established theme. But there is also a psychological dimension at play here. The act of portraiture has always been about more than just recording a likeness. It involves an assertion of identity, a desire to be remembered. This desire transcends time, revealing an unconscious yearning for immortality.