Man met hoge hoed 1828

Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man created this print, "Man met hoge hoed", around 1828. Nolthenius de Man lived through a tumultuous period in European history, witnessing the rise and fall of Napoleon and the subsequent reshaping of the continent. In this small but telling portrait, we see a man in profile, sharply dressed in the fashion of the day, most notably, the high top hat, a symbol of bourgeois status. During this period, dress and appearance were critical markers of identity and social standing. The fur collar around his neck suggests a certain level of affluence, protecting him from the cold, both literally and metaphorically shielding him from the harsh realities faced by those lower down the social hierarchy. This image raises questions about who is included and excluded in the narratives of power and representation. It invites us to consider the emotional detachment that can accompany privilege and how class distinctions shape individual experiences and perceptions.