Portret van Daniel Souterius 1623

This engraving of Daniel Souterius by Jacob Matham captures the sitter holding a book, a potent symbol during the Reformation. Books, especially the Bible, signified knowledge, piety, and direct access to religious truth. The act of holding a book wasn't new; consider ancient philosophers often depicted with scrolls, emblems of wisdom, and erudition. But the Protestant Reformation reframed the book to empower the individual, fostering a personal connection with the divine. Think back to Jan van Eyck's Ghent Altarpiece, where the Virgin Mary is often shown reading, a motif of her wisdom and humility. This archetype, like the Reformation itself, reveals the image's power to transform collective memory, intertwining religious devotion with cultural identity. The book, now in Souterius's hands, carries a profound emotional weight, connecting him to a lineage of spiritual leaders. The cyclical journey of this symbol, from ancient wisdom to Reformation empowerment, reflects the human psyche's ongoing quest for meaning.