Portret van Michel Colbert 1680 - 1682

Pieter van Schuppen etched this portrait of Michel Colbert. Notice the serpent coiled around a staff at the bottom, a symbol deeply rooted in antiquity. This is the Staff of Asclepius, named after the Greek god of medicine and healing. Unlike the caduceus, which features two snakes and is often mistakenly used as a medical symbol, the Staff of Asclepius has always been associated with medicine and healing. The serpent's shedding of its skin was seen as a symbol of rebirth and renewal, mirroring the healing process. But consider how the serpent, often a symbol of chaos and primal instinct, is here tamed, controlled. This taming reflects humanity's ongoing effort to understand and control the natural world, particularly in the context of health. The symbol has passed through time, from ancient Greece to modern medicine, appearing on ambulances and hospitals. The image resonates with a collective memory of seeking health, a profound and timeless human desire.