Portret van Jan Hofker c. 1906 - 1907

This is Willem Witsen’s etching of Jan Hofker, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Note how Jan Hofker's carefully groomed mustache acts as a symbol of status and self-presentation. The mustache, once merely facial hair, is transformed into a potent signifier. It's not just about aesthetics; it's a deliberate statement, a visual marker of identity. Consider the evolution of facial hair throughout history: from the beards of ancient philosophers, symbolizing wisdom and authority, to the clean-shaven faces of modern technocrats, signaling efficiency and conformity. Hofker's mustache exists in a specific moment, reflecting the values and aspirations of its time. It is an echo, transformed and re-contextualized, of the past. Like a recurring dream, the symbol resurfaces, each time carrying new layers of meaning, yet still connected to its primal origins.