Portret van Johann Kissling c. 1660 - 1685

This portrait of Johann Kissling was etched in 1676 by Johann Martin Lerch. Framed within an oval, Kissling holds gloves in his right hand, a subtle but potent symbol of status and readiness. This motif, gloves clasped in hand, has echoes throughout art history, resurfacing in Renaissance portraiture as an emblem of control and preparedness, yet also subtly hinting at concealed power. Think, for example, of the countless depictions of royalty gripping gloves, projecting an air of composed authority. Over time, the glove shifts in meaning, from a symbol of aristocratic elegance to one imbued with psychological weight. The act of holding, restraining, suggests an internal tension. This restrained gesture is charged with a deep, often subconscious understanding of societal roles and expectations. The symbols persist, not as static relics, but as fluid carriers of meaning, forever evolving.