Portret van twee staande mannen, waarvan één op de rug gezien 1888 - 1908

This portrait by Gustaf Alfred Johanson Dahllöf presents two men in conversation. One symbol that immediately strikes me is the cane held by the man facing away. The cane—an object of support and status—echoes through history, reappearing in the hands of dignitaries and deities alike. Think of Hermes, whose caduceus, initially a shepherd's staff, evolved into a symbol of medicine and commerce. In the classical world, the cane was associated with age, authority, and even divine power. Over time, its meaning shifted. It became a marker of gentility and sophistication. In Dahllöf's portrait, the cane subtly communicates the sitter’s social standing. Yet, it also speaks to a deeper, more universal human condition, the need for support, guidance, and perhaps, a touch of theatrical flair. The persistence of the cane as a symbolic object underscores our enduring fascination with power, status, and the theatrical gestures that define our roles in society.