Portret van Ulrich Zasius c. 1597 - 1669

This portrait of Ulrich Zasius by Theodor de Bry is an engraving. Notice the insects and flora surrounding Zasius, a symbolic language connecting us to a broader understanding of life and nature. The presence of the insects may represent his intellectual endeavors. In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle was a symbol of rebirth and transformation, reflecting Zasius' ability to transform legal concepts. Even now, insects can evoke a mix of fascination and apprehension, tapping into our primal responses to the natural world. These motifs are part of a chain, a historical thread linking images and ideas across time. As we trace them, we begin to understand how symbols evolve. They transform, yet continue to carry echoes of their past, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, triggering a powerful, emotional response. They reappear, transformed, taking on new meanings, yet still resonating with their origins.