Portret van Jan van Gijsen 1712 - 1767

This is Jacob Folkema’s portrait of Jan van Gijsen, an engraving made in the late 17th or early 18th century. Surrounding Gijsen is an oval frame teeming with symbols that offer insight into his world. Note the array of musical instruments and theatrical masks above Gijsen’s head. These allude to the subject's affinity for the arts, invoking the spirit of Apollo, the god of music and poetry. Below, observe the swan, a symbol of purity and grace, often associated with artistic inspiration and divine beauty. Swans have appeared across cultures from classical mythology to modern ballet, each time carrying a sense of transcendence. Consider how these symbols—the masks, instruments, and swan—recur in various guises throughout history. They speak to our shared human quest for beauty and meaning, continually resurfacing to touch our collective subconscious.