Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1880 - 1887

This is a portrait made by Albert Greiner, of an unknown woman, dating from the late 19th century. Observe the large bow at her chest, held in place by a brooch. Bows like this, prominently displayed at the neck or chest, echo the ruffs of the Renaissance period. Ruffs began as modest shirt collars, but grew to become flamboyant declarations of status and taste. Think of the stern portraits of the Tudor monarchs – Elizabeth’s starched lace framing her face like a halo. Over time, the ruff diminished, yet never fully disappeared. In this portrait, we witness its faint echo. The bow's presence here reflects a collective memory, a longing to revive the past. These fashion motifs resurface, evolving to reflect new desires and anxieties. The stern expression of the sitter is also remarkable. It adds depth and invites contemplation, hinting at the complex tapestry of human emotions woven into our cultural artifacts.