Portret van Georg Werner 1648 - 1663

This portrait of Georg Werner was engraved by Johann Pfann in the 17th century. Werner is depicted holding a book, a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, deeply rooted in religious and scholarly traditions. The book, or codex, is not merely an object; it is a vessel of collective memory. In ancient times, the scroll served a similar purpose, yet the codex, with its bound pages, allowed for a more structured preservation of knowledge. We see echoes of this across cultures, from the Torah scrolls in Judaism to the illuminated manuscripts of the medieval period. This symbol has been passed down through history, evolving from sacred texts to secular works, yet retaining its essence as a repository of human thought. Here, the book resonates with the psychological weight of inherited wisdom. The act of holding the book is a powerful gesture, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical progression of knowledge and its continuous reinterpretation across time.