Portret van Margareta Geertruid van der Werken 1792

Hendrik Roosing created this portrait of Margareta Geertruid van der Werken using etching, a method that dates back to the Middle Ages. Notice the prominent writing quill in her hand, poised over paper, a symbol of knowledge, communication, and the act of inscription. The quill, as an implement of writing, has carried a symbolic weight far beyond its practical function, think of the feather in the hand of the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary she will bear a child. This association stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of the written word to shape reality and carry forth ideas across generations. Consider how the act of writing and the tools associated with it have been revered across cultures. From the scribes of ancient Egypt to the illuminated manuscripts of medieval Europe, the act of inscription has always held a sacred quality, linking humanity to the eternal. As we delve deeper, we find that the image of the quill, as a symbol of creativity and communication, speaks to our collective subconscious, reminding us of our innate desire to leave a mark on the world. The act of writing becomes a symbolic gesture, imbuing the artwork with a sense of purpose and destiny.