Frederick Keppel II 1898

Anders Zorn created this portrait of Frederick Keppel II with etching on paper. Here, the sitter’s composed demeanor is accentuated by the book he holds, an object laden with symbolism throughout history. The act of reading is not merely a pastime; it is an engagement with knowledge, a gateway to enlightenment. Consider how the book has appeared in countless religious paintings, held by prophets and saints, symbolizing divine wisdom. Yet, here, its presence speaks more to worldly knowledge, a testament to Keppel's intellectual pursuits. The motif of the book is particularly striking when viewed through a psychoanalytic lens. Books symbolize the transmission of cultural memory. The book, both as an object and an idea, has evolved, resurfacing in different forms, from ancient scrolls to digital texts, each time carrying echoes of its past. This constant reinvention underscores the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols in our collective consciousness.