Samuel van Lansbergen (d. 1669), Remonstrant Minister in Rotterdam 1646

Bartholomeus van der Helst painted this portrait of Samuel van Lansbergen in the Dutch Republic. The rigid white ruff that encircles Lansbergen’s neck is the most striking element; in its perfect geometry, it reflects the sitter's status and the cultural values of the time. Consider how the ruff resembles the pleated linen collars worn by members of the military orders in medieval effigies. What was once a signifier of religious or military allegiance has now morphed into an emblem of civic and spiritual authority. This echoes the enduring human need to signal identity and belonging through dress. The circular form has resurfaced through history—think of halos in religious art, or the elaborate collars in royal portraits—each iteration carrying its own set of cultural and psychological associations. As a potent symbol, the ruff invites us to reflect on the shifting nature of human expression and the powerful, subconscious ways in which we seek to define ourselves.