Zeno van Cittium met boek 1672

Bernard Vaillant rendered this image of Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism, with masterful strokes. Note the book in Zeno’s hands, a potent symbol of knowledge and the written word. This motif echoes through time, from ancient philosophers to Renaissance scholars, each holding texts that signify wisdom and intellectual pursuit. The book here is not merely an object; it represents Zeno's teachings, and by extension, the enduring legacy of Stoic thought. Consider the garment draped over his shoulder. Torn yet still present, it suggests resilience and endurance, qualities central to Stoic philosophy. This garment reminds me of similar depictions of prophets and thinkers through different epochs. These visual echoes highlight the cyclical nature of human ideas, where concepts resurface, adapt, and are continually reinterpreted. The symbolic weight of such imagery engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious connections to wisdom and perseverance.