Portret van Gijsbrecht van Bronckhorst en Batenburg 1730 - 1799

This engraving portrays Gijsbrecht van Bronckhorst en Batenburg, framed in an oval, capturing the fashions and social standing of its time. The ruff collar, meticulously etched, speaks volumes, doesn't it? This circular, pleated neckwear can be found across Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Think of the stiff, imposing ruffs in Spanish court portraits, symbols of status and power, projecting an aura of inaccessibility and control. Yet, observe how the ruff has evolved! From the exaggerated, almost comical, sizes that separated the head from the body, creating a halo effect, to more modest versions. In a psychoanalytic sense, such fashion may subconsciously symbolize the tension between exposure and concealment. The ruff both highlights the face and creates a barrier, reflecting a desire for both recognition and protection. The echoes of the ruff resonate through history in endless variations. It is a testament to our enduring need to assert identity and status, reinventing symbols across time.