Studie van een man met een hoed, in profiel, naar links 1797 - 1838

This is Johannes Christiaan Schotel's "Study of a Man with a Hat, in Profile, to the Left," a pencil drawing. The sitter's hat, a wide-brimmed affair, immediately catches the eye. Historically, hats signify status, profession, or belonging. This particular style, worn at a jaunty angle, hints at a certain informality. Consider, for example, the Roman petasus, worn by travelers and laborers. While practical, it also appeared in depictions of Mercury, the swift messenger, adding a layer of symbolic depth. Schotel's sitter shares a casual similarity, yet its meaning has shifted. Here, it might suggest a life outdoors or perhaps a hint of bohemian sensibility. Such a common object is an anchor to shared understanding and speaks to our collective memory. It reminds us that images, like symbols, are not static, but are constantly evolving, reflecting our ever-changing world.