Portret van Gottlieb August Kette 1759

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth’s portrait of Gottlieb August Kette. The book in Kette’s hand is not merely a prop but a symbol deeply intertwined with historical and intellectual authority. Consider the evolution of the book's symbolism: from the ancient scrolls signifying wisdom to the codex that codified laws and religious texts. The gesture of resting a hand upon the book evokes images of biblical figures and philosophers. This motif transcends its immediate context, reappearing across various epochs as an emblem of knowledge and power. The book, an object of veneration, becomes an almost totemic object. Over time, the book has shifted in meaning, yet its power endures. We see the subject’s engagement with it as an emotional and psychological aspect that engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This is not merely a representation but an evocation of something primal and deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness. This cyclical progression of symbols highlights how certain images resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.