Creator

-

Creation-date

ca. 1650

Technique

Painting

Material

Oil on Canvas

Inventory number

Inv. RF 2036

Subject-1

Portrait of a man

Object-Current-Location

Paris, Musée du Louvre

Digital resource author

GrECI Project

Digital-resource-rights holder

University of Oslo (for GrECI project)

Image-number

043_Id_18

License

CC BY

Description

This example suggests that the display of Greek letters can be meaningful even if the words are not. The scroll on the table prominently displays a text written in Greek-style letters, but they do not convey any meaning. Given the artist's connection with the Jansenist circles of Port-Royal, the choice to include Greek letters has a cultural significance in itself, and can even be seen as provocative. The Jansenists of Port-Royal held Greek language and culture in high esteem, and this made them the target of attacks by the French Jesuits.