Dimensions: height 153 mm, width 106 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Matthias van Sommer created this portrait of Christoph Carl Woelcker. Observe the elaborate lace collar around Woelcker's neck, a symbol of status that echoes across centuries, appearing in portraits from the Renaissance onward. It speaks of wealth and a refined aesthetic sensibility. Consider how the ruff, initially a simple functional garment, evolved into the exaggerated, stiffened forms seen in earlier portraits. Over time, its symbolism transformed, reflecting not only wealth but also the sitter's adherence to social norms and the demands of courtly fashion. There’s a tension in this presentation, the need to perform status clashing with the human form, a psychological weight that artists and sitters alike must have felt. The image is a microcosm of its time, capturing the complex interplay between personal identity and societal expectations. Its echoes resonate even today, revealing how symbols evolve and retain fragments of their past.
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