Portret van Ernst Casimir, graaf van Nassau-Dietz 19th century

This is an anonymous portrait print of Ernst Casimir, Count of Nassau-Dietz, now held in the Rijksmuseum. Ernst stands in full attire, his hand resting on a walking stick. A curious detail that strikes us is the lace collar, a symbol of nobility and refinement during the 17th century. These collars, evolving from simple neck ruffs, became elaborate statements of status, appearing in portraits across Europe. One sees echoes of this fashion in earlier, more rigid forms in Spanish court paintings, where the ruff separated the head from the body, creating an aura of detachment. Here, the lace is softer, more pliable, suggesting a shift in social mores. Such transformations illustrate the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation. These are manifestations of the past continually resurfacing, yet always subtly altered by the present. The symbols evolve and adapt, reflecting the ever-changing currents of human culture and consciousness.