Boord van J.R. Thorbecke c. 1850

Curator: Let's turn our attention now to a somewhat unusual object in our collection. What are your first thoughts when you see it? Editor: Stark, utilitarian... Almost clinical, despite the obvious age. The muted colour only heightens that effect. Is it… a bandage? Curator: In a way, yes! What we’re looking at is J.R. Thorbecke’s collar, circa 1850, held here at the Rijksmuseum. Though it seems insignificant, this object connects us directly to a figure who fundamentally shaped Dutch democracy. Editor: Oh, interesting. Seeing this rather modest textile linked to such a pivotal political figure really prompts reflection on the symbolism of power. And its materials seem quite humble for someone so influential. Linen, I presume? How does this simple construction tie into his identity, do you think? Curator: The austerity itself speaks volumes. In that era, fashion in male portraiture emphasized seriousness of character, visible integrity. Stiff, high collars like this, constructed in white to highlight probity and civic virtue, signified one's dedication to principle above adornment. Remember the collar created the 'preacher's mouth' so favored in photographs of politicians. Editor: So, it's both a functional and a symbolic garment, representing a shift towards more democratic values—emphasizing merit over aristocratic lineage. It makes one ponder what the labor conditions were like, producing such stiff, yet delicate items. Curator: Precisely. Each carefully stitched line in the material and adjusted metal piece symbolizes this political change and cultural understanding of powerful men, but then how much unseen labor went into creating this image? Food for thought about cultural memory. Editor: Definitely gives you a lot to consider about the relationship between objects and their broader societal context, doesn't it? I never would have expected so much insight from what initially seemed so unremarkable. Curator: Exactly, a simple piece of fabric tells an incredible and multi-faceted story, revealing much about the age and society, as well as the person to whom it once belonged.