Portret van Abraham Kuenen 1862

Willem Steelink created this portrait of Abraham Kuenen using etching techniques. The portrait presents Kuenen with a formal black suit and bow tie. This attire signifies more than mere fashion; it speaks to Kuenen's status and the values of 19th-century Dutch society. Consider the bow tie, seemingly simple, yet laden with cultural weight. It's a motif that transcends time, reappearing in portraits across eras, each instance subtly shifting in meaning, a silent carrier of societal norms and personal identity. From ancient Rome, where similar adornments denoted rank, to its modern resurgence in hipster subculture, the neckwear morphs, adapting to new social landscapes. This emblem, like many others, invites us to consider the complex interplay between memory, symbol, and identity. Such garments serve as potent reminders of our collective past, subtly influencing our perceptions.