Portrait of a Man. Probably Erik Eriksen Banner. 1534

Lucas Cranach the Elder painted this portrait, likely of Erik Eriksen Banner, with oil on wood in the 16th century. Notice the ring prominently displayed on his right hand, a potent symbol of status and power. Rings, as circular forms, have long signified continuity and eternity. Consider the rings worn by Roman emperors, each a signet of authority, not unlike the Pope’s ring, which seals the pontiff’s decrees. This ring mirrors these traditions, albeit on a more personal, bourgeois scale. The sober black attire absorbs all light, directing our attention to the face and hands of the subject, particularly to this significant ring. The gesture of the hands, gently clasped, suggests contemplation, yet the presence of the ring disrupts this tranquility. It acts as a visual anchor, asserting status. This tension between introspection and outward display captures the psychological complexities inherent in portraiture, reminding us that identity is both personal and performed, constantly negotiated across time.