Portret van Georg Mönhorn 1643 - 1680

This is Johann Friedrich Leonard's etched portrait of Georg Mönhorn, a merchant of Nuremberg. The most striking feature is the large, pleated ruff collar, a symbol of status and formality in the 17th century. This collar, a rigid circle framing the face, has a peculiar ancestor in the protective neckwear of medieval knights. Consider the evolution from functional armor to symbolic adornment. What psychological forces drove this transformation? The ruff, like armor, creates a barrier, but here, it’s a social one, setting the wearer apart. We see echoes of this desire for distinction throughout history—from the elaborate hairstyles of the French court to modern fashion trends. The need to assert status and identity through dress is a recurring motif in the human narrative, a dance between protection and presentation that continues to evolve.