Portret van Anton Friedrich Büsching 1721 - 1771

This is Johann David Schleuen's rendering of Anton Friedrich Büsching. Note the rigid oval frame, a motif echoing ancient Roman portraiture, designed to enshrine the subject's likeness. The stark contrast of the white clerical collar against the dark coat draws our attention. The collar, originally a symbol of religious authority, appears in countless portraits across centuries. Think of the somber visages of Dutch Calvinist ministers, or even earlier, the severe faces of medieval clerics. Each time, the collar resurfaces, imbued with the weight of tradition, yet subtly altered. Consider the psychoanalytic implications: the collar as a symbol of restraint, of sublimation, the conscious mind imposing order on the subconscious. It’s a recurring motif in our collective memory, an emblem of imposed order that continues to resonate. Thus, the image becomes a potent visual echo, a reminder of the cyclical nature of symbols.