Fotoreproductie van een gravure van een portret van Peter Paul Rubens door Jean-Marc Nattier, naar het schilderij door Peter Paul Rubens before 1864

This is a reproduction of a portrait of Peter Paul Rubens, engraved by Jean-Marc Nattier, after a painting by Rubens himself. The floral garland embracing the portrait presents us with an immediate connection to classical antiquity, where wreaths of laurel or ivy signified honor and eternal memory. Consider how such garlands, echoing those worn by ancient gods and heroes, recur throughout art history. From Renaissance paintings to Baroque sculptures, the wreath persists as a symbol of triumph and remembrance, a visual echo passed down through generations. Observe how these symbols have transformed, yet retained their core essence. This image serves as a poignant reminder of how symbols continuously resurface, weaving a complex web that connects us to the past.