Fotoreproductie van een geschilderd zelfportret als de apostel Paulus c. 1870 - 1900

This is a photographic reproduction of a self-portrait made by Laurens Lodewijk Kleijn, in which he depicts himself as the Apostle Paul. The most striking symbol is Kleijn's transformation into Paul, identifiable through the traditional garb and the quill he holds, alluding to Paul's role as a writer of epistles. This act of self-identification links Kleijn to a historical and religious lineage. We find echoes of this self-insertion in other portraits throughout time. Consider artists who have portrayed themselves as figures from classical antiquity or as saints. This impulse speaks to a deep human desire to connect with the past, to find oneself within the grand narrative of history. Here, Kleijn evokes the psychological weight of religious conviction and the burden of spiritual leadership, reflecting a personal resonance with Paul's journey and transformation. The cyclical nature of these motifs reminds us that history is not linear. Symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, echoing through our collective consciousness.