Nicolai Brorson 1753

This print depicts Nicolai Brorson and was created by Jonas Haas. Note the sitter's ruff collar: in its circular form, we see echoes of the halo, the symbol of sanctity. This motif—the circle around the neck—reappears across eras, though its symbolic weight shifts. Consider the torcs worn by Celtic warriors, emblems of power and status. The ruff evolved from practical necessity to high fashion, reflecting a desire to assert social standing. But here, in this portrait, it signifies Brorson's clerical status, connecting him to a lineage of religious figures. The circle, a potent symbol of eternity, subtly imbues the sitter with an aura of timelessness and authority. It is a powerful connection to the past, shaped by both conscious and unconscious cultural forces.