Portret van een onbekend meisje met hoed 1874 - 1887

This is a portrait of an unknown girl with a hat, made by Albert Greiner. The hat itself, adorned with what appears to be a bow, holds a peculiar fascination. Hats, historically, have signified status, identity, and protection. Consider the "pileus," the felt cap of freed Roman slaves, or the elaborate headwear of Renaissance nobility. This young girl’s hat, modest yet carefully arranged, speaks to the societal expectations of her time. The bow on the hat is evocative of adornments seen in earlier depictions of mythological figures, such as Psyche, often represented with butterfly wings and delicate ribbons, symbols of the soul's transformation and desire. The girl’s hat is not merely a fashion accessory; it is a vessel carrying centuries of cultural meaning. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, demonstrating the non-linear progression of visual and cultural motifs.