Omlijsting voor portret 1685 - 1704

Georges Tasnière etched this portrait frame in the 17th century. Wreaths of laurel and cascading ribbons frame the central oval, echoing the triumphal arches of Roman antiquity. Laurel, symbol of victory and eternal life, reappears across centuries, adorning emperors and poets alike. In ancient Greece, victors in the Pythian Games were crowned with laurel, linking it to Apollo, god of light and reason. Now, consider the subtle shift: from a symbol of divine recognition to secular honor. The ribbons, dancing above the laurel, speak of celebration and festivity. These elements, seemingly mere decoration, carry the weight of tradition and cultural memory, subtly influencing our perception of the portrait placed within this frame. The collective unconscious, steeped in symbols, responds to this visual language, creating a powerful emotional connection. Through repetition and reinterpretation, symbols retain their power, continually reborn in new contexts.