Portret van Aechje Claesdr. 1634 - 1719

This is a portrait of Aechje Claesdr., made with etching by an anonymous artist. Notice the imposing ruff collar, a symbol of status and formality in 17th-century Dutch society. It frames the face, drawing our attention to the subject's expression. This circular form echoes in different contexts and times, such as halos around the heads of saints in Byzantine icons. The halo signified holiness, an aura of the divine. Here, the ruff serves a similar function, though secular, elevating the sitter within her social context. These recurring motifs create a sense of psychological continuity. The conscious and unconscious processes of the artist reveal the power of cultural memory. This formal, closed-off representation conveys a controlled emotional state, a powerful psychological barrier. The ruff collar, like so many symbols, has recurred and evolved in different historical contexts, carrying various meanings that trigger deep, subconscious responses.