Portret van Nicolaas Olivier Possibly 1856 - 1858

Johann Peter Berghaus rendered this portrait of Nicolaas Olivier in lithograph. Note the subject's firm grip on a piece of paper, a symbol laden with historical and psychological weight. The paper, in its various forms, has served as a conduit of power, knowledge, and memory across millennia. From ancient papyrus scrolls to modern-day contracts, it signifies authority and documentation. Here, the paper may allude to Olivier's profession, status, or perhaps secrets he holds. Consider the parallel to ancient Roman portraits, where scrolls denoted status and education, or even the tablets held by prophets and lawgivers in religious art, symbols passed down and adapted through time. The act of holding paper connects to our collective memory and subconscious associations. It engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, conveying a sense of control and informed purpose. This visual vocabulary demonstrates the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols, how it resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.