Portret van Ernst Salomon Cyprianus 1733

This is an engraving of Ernst Salomon Cyprianus by Georg Martin Preissler. The clergyman, a theologian, is framed by an oval, as was common for portraits commemorating learned men. Notice Cyprianus’s hand gesture, a soft touch upon his chest. This humble pose, seen in devotional images across Europe, indicates piety, sincerity, and heartfelt conviction. The open hand signifies honesty and transparency. We see echoes of this gesture in Renaissance portraits, where nobility sought to convey their virtue and integrity, and even further back in ancient Roman oratory, a signal of trustworthiness. The gesture is not static; it evolves. Here, it suggests the weight of spiritual contemplation, an appeal to an inner, divine truth, and an outward expression of inner faith. This seemingly simple gesture carries with it centuries of shifting meanings and cultural adaptations. It serves as a poignant reminder of how symbols resurface, transformed by each age, yet retaining threads of their ancient power.