Portret van Guillaume, baron van Lamboy 1616 - 1657

Paulus Pontius rendered this portrait of Guillaume, Baron van Lamboy in ink on paper. Lamboy is depicted in full armor, a symbol of his military status and the turbulent times of the 17th century. His hand gestures downwards with a baton, exuding authority. Consider the baton: a symbol stretching back to antiquity. Emperors and generals have carried it, embodying power and command. We see echoes of it in Renaissance paintings of monarchs, and even further back in ancient Roman sculptures depicting emperors with sceptres. Yet, the baton here is not merely a symbol of power; it is also an instrument of war, hinting at the violence and conflict that defined Lamboy's life. This symbol, laden with historical weight, taps into our collective memory, evoking primal feelings of power. It has shape-shifted from a symbol of royal decree to one of military command. The portrait becomes a psychological mirror, reflecting not just the Baron's image, but the enduring human fascination with power, authority, and the echoes of history that resonate within us.