Edelman staand op een terras, op de achtergrond een landschap 1635

Gilles Rousselet created this print, "Edelman standing on a terrace, with a landscape in the background", in the 17th century using engraving techniques. During this period, fashion and social status were visually intertwined, reflecting the rigid hierarchies of the time. Here, the nobleman’s elaborate attire—the feathered hat, the ornately buttoned coat, and the sword—aren't simply about personal style. They are deliberate markers of identity. These elements communicate power, wealth, and a distinct position within the aristocratic structure. The checkered terrace and the distant landscape aren't just background; they emphasize the nobleman’s dominion over space and nature. Consider how dress codes and visual symbols have historically been used to enforce and perform class distinctions, dictating who belongs and who is excluded. Rousselet captures a moment in time, but also a lasting commentary on the visual language of power. What does it mean to perform an identity through dress?