Portret van Ferdinand Marrou, zittend tussen twee kandelaren before 1884

This is a portrait of Ferdinand Marrou by Witz et Cie, captured in a photograph. Two candelabras stand on either side of him, framing his figure. The candelabra motif has its origins in antiquity, where light was often equated with knowledge, divinity, and clarity. The image is reminiscent of portraits of philosophers from centuries past, often depicted with objects symbolizing wisdom. Here, the candelabras might suggest Marrou's intellectual aspirations. Light as illumination has been used in art history, such as Caravaggio’s use of tenebrism, where light and shadow create a deeply psychological impact. The candelabras, like antique busts, evoke a sense of classical learning. But, unlike portraits of old, the immediacy of the photograph places Marrou in the modern era, between old traditions and contemporary life. This picture is an artifact of cultural memory, showing how symbols persist and evolve in our collective consciousness.