Portret van Wilhelm August Klepperbein 1761

This engraving portrays Wilhelm August Klepperbein, and was created by Pieter Tanjé. Klepperbein is depicted with an open book, a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment. Note the gesture of his right hand, raised in a manner reminiscent of classical orators, a posture suggesting authority. The book, coupled with his clerical attire, highlights his role as a scholar and theologian. We can trace the echo of this hand gesture back to ancient Roman sculptures of emperors addressing the Senate, or even further back to depictions of Greek philosophers imparting wisdom. Such continuity reveals how images transcend time, and gestures passed down over centuries resonate with viewers on a subconscious level. The book too, is a potent symbol, evolving from ancient scrolls to the printed word, always representing the pursuit of knowledge. The motifs here do not follow a linear path, but resurface and evolve. They take on new meanings, while still retaining the emotional weight of their origins.