Zelfportret van Johannes Cornelis Mertens met zijn tweede echtgenote Helena Janszen 1807

This self-portrait by Johannes Cornelis Mertens with his second wife, Helena Janszen, presents us with potent symbols of their time. We see the couple in what appears to be a domestic setting, but note the classical column to the right. Columns, reaching as far back as ancient Greece, serve not merely as architectural support, but also stand as emblems of strength, stability, and cultural refinement. Consider the column's transformation: from the grandeur of antiquity to its adaptation in 18th-century domestic portraiture. It has been refashioned as a background prop, subtly conveying the sitters' aspiration to cultivate an air of classical elegance. The presence of such symbols evokes an emotional echo of continuity. These visual cues are unconsciously received, drawing on layers of historical and cultural meaning, to evoke aspiration. The image resonates beyond the surface, engaging us in a timeless conversation about cultural memory and aspiration.