Portret van Bernardus Schotanus 1644

This is Crispijn van de Passe the Younger's 1644 engraving of Bernardus Schotanus. Encircling the portrait are the words "Ora, Labora, Spera” — Pray, Work, Hope. This triad, while capturing the Protestant work ethic of the time, echoes sentiments from across the ages. Consider "Spera," the embodiment of hope. Hope is a powerful emotional force, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. We see the motif of hope, of aspiration toward a brighter future, resurfacing in antiquity. Pandora, in the Greek myth, opened her jar releasing evils upon mankind, but hope remained. A vital force that is deeply embedded in our collective psyche. Thus, we observe the non-linear progression of symbols. "Spera," like hope itself, resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, echoing through history, connecting our present to the wisdom and anxieties of those who came before.