Portret van Nicolaas Wigger als minderbroeder 1628 - 1655

This engraving from the 17th century by Pieter Fransz. de Grebber depicts Nicolaas Wigger as a Franciscan friar. A defining feature of the subject is his simple robe, cinched at the waist with a knotted rope. The rope, beyond its practical function, is a potent symbol within the Franciscan Order, representing poverty, chastity, and obedience, the core vows taken by its members. This emblem echoes through centuries of religious art, not unlike the depiction of St. Francis receiving the stigmata, where the coarse rope visually underscores his commitment to a life of penance and humility. Consider how similar cords and belts appear in ancient Greek sculpture, holding tunics in place but also signifying restraint and discipline. The symbolism has morphed, adapted, yet the underlying theme of self-control remains. In our collective consciousness, such imagery stirs notions of dedication, sacrifice, and the profound connection between material austerity and spiritual wealth. It is a non-linear progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.