Portret van architect Antonio da Sangallo de oudere 1769 - 1775

This is Giovanni Battista Cecchi’s portrait of architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, made with engraving. Notice Sangallo's hands holding what seems to be a book or a set of plans. Throughout history, the open or held book has served as a potent symbol of knowledge and learning. From religious texts to architectural treatises, the book signifies wisdom being actively engaged with. The act of holding plans or books in portraiture also appears in depictions of scholars and saints, imbuing the sitter with an aura of intellectual or spiritual authority. Even today, we subconsciously associate books with intelligence. The motif evolves: initially a sacred object, it becomes associated with secular knowledge and professional identity. This evolution reflects the changing values of society, and the continuous human quest for understanding. Cecchi’s portrait taps into our collective memory, triggering an emotional response linked to the timeless pursuit of knowledge.