Portret van Antonio da Sangallo 1549 - 1584

This is a portrait of Antonio da Sangallo, etched by an anonymous artist. Here, Sangallo holds a pair of compasses, their points directed downwards, the embodiment of precision and grounded intellect. The compass, an emblem of geometrical knowledge, resonates with the divine act of creation, as seen when God uses compasses to shape the world. Yet, Sangallo’s compass is not heavenward-pointing, but a symbol of mortal architecture, of earthly dominion, of practical construction, and is an echo of Vitruvius, whose architectural principles revived the ideals of classical antiquity. This motif transcends time; it is a symbolic thread connecting the ancient world to the Renaissance. This image appeals to our deepest sense of order, of our innate desire to understand the universe through reason. It stirs a profound recognition of humanity's quest for knowledge, resurfacing in varied forms through history.