Portret van J.C. Verhoeff 1860

Augustinus Jacobus Bernardus Wouters rendered this portrait of J.C. Verhoeff using lithography. Here, Verhoeff sits with a book, a potent symbol of knowledge and wisdom. Consider how the book has appeared throughout history, from ancient scrolls to illuminated manuscripts, each iteration imbued with cultural significance. Its presence here reflects a reverence for learning, but also echoes the classical tradition of associating individuals with objects representing their virtues or professions. The closed book, particularly, invites contemplation. It becomes a repository of unspoken knowledge, a symbol that resonates across time. Think of the countless depictions of scholars, saints, and philosophers accompanied by books – a visual motif that speaks to our collective memory of wisdom and intellectual pursuit. It is a symbol that, despite its simple form, carries layers of historical and psychological weight.