Studie van een man met een hoed 1797 - 1838

Editor: This is "Studie van een man met een hoed," or "Study of a Man with a Hat," an ink drawing created sometime between 1797 and 1838 by Johannes Christiaan Schotel. It’s housed here at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me is the individual's direct gaze and somewhat disheveled attire; he looks like a rebel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a man situated within the Romantic period, grappling with societal expectations. Notice the hat and the loosely tied scarf. These are not the garments of the elite, are they? This could be seen as a deliberate rejection of the powdered wigs and formal attire of the aristocracy, embodying a move toward celebrating individuality and perhaps even a kind of "everyman" identity. It begs the question, what does it mean to portray a common man during a time of upheaval and revolution? Editor: So, his clothing could be a statement in itself? A sort of quiet rebellion? Curator: Precisely! And consider the caricature aspects – slightly exaggerated features that hint at a critique of social norms. The romantic period placed value on the uniqueness and expressiveness of people; and he does have that "something", doesn't he? What statement might Schotel be making about class and identity during this time? Is he advocating for a shift in perspective? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the drawing as a form of social commentary, but viewing it through the lens of class and identity really opens it up. I wonder if it influenced others from the time. Curator: I think recognizing these symbols makes us think deeper about how art both reflects and actively shapes those social narratives. What do you make of art history now? Editor: I can certainly never unsee art in the same light.