Bokaal met een portret van Cornelis Witsen c. 1740 - 1862

This clear glass goblet, etched by an anonymous hand, features a portrait of Cornelis Witsen, a figure of prominence. The laurel leaves encircling his image—a classical symbol of triumph and immortality—resonate across millennia, evoking the wreaths worn by Roman emperors and Renaissance poets alike. This symbolic gesture seeks to elevate Witsen, immortalizing his likeness and achievements through classical association. Consider the feather in his hat: a flamboyant detail echoing the accoutrements of Renaissance courtiers, harking back to a time of artistic and intellectual flourishing. This motif surfaces and resurfaces, finding new life across cultures, and carrying with it echoes of power, knowledge, and cultural memory that continue to speak to us today. It’s a powerful reminder of how symbols persist, adapt, and ultimately connect us to the depths of our shared past.