Portret van Hieronymus Simons van Alphen after 1735

This portrait of Hieronymus Simons van Alphen was engraved by Jacob Houbraken in the 18th century. The sitter's hand, raised in a gesture of discourse, immediately catches our eye. This motif, echoing the classical "Adlocutio," symbolizes eloquence and authority. We see it resurface through time, from Roman emperors addressing their legions to Renaissance depictions of learned scholars. The open hand, conveying reasoned thought, evolved into a conventional pose during the Enlightenment. Yet, the slightly melancholic cast of Alphen's eyes hints at deeper psychological undercurrents. Perhaps Houbraken unconsciously infused the portrait with the weight of intellectual responsibility, engaging us on a profound, subconscious level. This symbol of wisdom, however, is not static. It has evolved and resurfaced, shaped by each era's unique concerns and collective memory. The cultural memory of profound knowledge is always carried forward, sometimes shifting and accumulating new layers of meaning.