Buste van oude vrouw 1739 - 1851

Johannes Janson etched this miniature bust of an old woman in the 18th century. The headdress immediately strikes us—a form of modest covering that, through time, has carried a wealth of significance. We see echoes of this motif far back in history. Consider the veils and head coverings of ancient Roman vestal virgins, symbols of purity and dedication. This iconography reemerges through different eras, notably in depictions of mourning women or widows, their heads covered as signs of grief and solemnity. Perhaps it is the universality of the human experience of aging and loss, mirrored in the woman's downcast gaze, that resonates so deeply. This humble headdress serves as a potent symbol, transcending its practical function. It is a visual echo across time, continually renewed by the collective human consciousness.