Portret van keizer Karel VI 1701 - 1711

Pieter van Gunst’s portrait of Charles VI presents us with a monarch adorned in symbols of power. The most arresting is the elaborate wig, a deliberate exaggeration of hair that became a symbol of status. Consider the transformation of hair throughout history – from the carefully braided styles of ancient royalty, signifying dynastic power, to the tonsured heads of monks, emblems of spiritual devotion, and now, this wig. This ostentatious wig is not merely fashion. It is a statement. A symbol that, over time, has shifted its meaning, but always circles back to notions of identity and authority. The weight of such symbols is not only historical, but also deeply psychological. Hair, often associated with virility and strength, is here transformed into a meticulously crafted artifice. It mirrors the very construction of power itself—carefully built, consciously maintained, and designed to evoke a particular response. It is a visual echo of humanity’s enduring quest to assert control, whether over nature, society, or our own inner selves.