Ludvig Holberg siddende i en stol 1851

Th. Stein created this sculpture of Ludvig Holberg sitting in a chair. Here, the book is held gently, almost reverentially. A symbol of knowledge, yes, but also a window into other worlds. We see this motif repeated throughout history. Consider the ancient philosophers depicted with scrolls, or the evangelists with their gospels, each a vessel of sacred knowledge. And yet, the book's meaning shifts. In medieval art, it signifies divine wisdom. By the Renaissance, it represents humanism, and the rediscovery of classical learning. Here, in Holberg's hands, it speaks of enlightenment and reason. The gaze directed upwards reminds us that he is not simply displaying a symbol but is deeply invested in knowledge. These images resonate within us because they tap into a collective memory. We respond to them, not just intellectually, but emotionally. The image of the sage with a book offers a visual anchor, a constant point of reference in our ever-changing world. The progression is cyclical: wisdom is rediscovered, reinterpreted, and passed on, each age finding new meaning in old symbols.