Reproductie van een gravure van een portret van Christoffel Jacobsz. van der Laemen door Petrus Clouwet before 1877

This is a reproduction of a portrait of Christoffel Jacobsz van der Laemen, created as an engraving by Joseph Maes. Van der Laemen is depicted with long hair and a moustache, dressed in elegant attire, with his hands gently clasped. The act of clasping hands, seemingly simple, is in fact a potent emblem. Consider the ancient Roman tradition of the "dextrarum iunctio," the joining of right hands, symbolizing agreement, loyalty, and marital union. This gesture reappears throughout history, notably in depictions of betrothals and alliances. Here, in this portrait, the hand clasp suggests a composed self-assurance, perhaps even an implied contract with the viewer, a promise of the sitter's character and integrity. The evolution of this motif speaks volumes about the enduring human need for connection, trust, and the visual representation of intangible bonds. Note the cyclical progression of this symbol, and how it has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.