Portret van Bohemund I van Antiochië 1768 - 1817

This engraving of Bohemund I of Antioch was created by Johann Heinrich Lips in the late 18th or early 19th century. We see a portrait of a man, in the style of the late Middle Ages, a hat topping his head. Bohemund’s hat reminds me of similar depictions in medieval art, where headgear signifies status and authority. Yet, the hat's simple design contrasts sharply with the elaborate crowns of kings, perhaps hinting at Bohemund's complex position as a leader who operated outside traditional hierarchies. Consider how the symbol of the hat has evolved. In ancient times, head coverings often denoted freedom, as seen in the Phrygian cap, later adopted during the French Revolution. The hat returns again and again, each time marked by the imprint of history. In this case, the hat might symbolize a kind of rebellious leadership, hinting at Bohemund’s role in the Crusades, a period marked by religious fervor and ruthless ambition. This emotional charge, embedded in the image, engages us, stirring deep-seated feelings of power and conflict. The hat is not just a piece of clothing but a relic of cultural memory.