Portret van een (vermoedelijk) Nederlandse militair, staand c. 1864 - 1879

This is a photographic portrait by Dirk Niekerk, likely taken in the latter half of the 19th century. Our attention is immediately drawn to the subject, a presumed Dutch soldier, whose posture and accoutrements speak volumes. Notice how he stands with one hand on his hip, the other resting near his kepi on the table. This stance, ubiquitous in military portraiture, has roots stretching back to classical antiquity—a visual echo of power and composed authority. Consider, too, the table, adorned with symbolic carvings, it serves as a stage for the soldier’s hat, a silent messenger of his rank and readiness. The hat as a symbol transcends time. In medieval iconography, head coverings denoted status, and in the Renaissance, portraits of merchants often included a hat, signaling civic engagement. Here, the soldier's hat is a condensation of collective memory, subconsciously evoking both protection and the weight of responsibility. It’s a potent image that engages us on a deep, primal level. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts, proving that the progression of symbols is non-linear.