Portret van J. Roquette, arts te Haarlem 1805

Hendrik Schwegman's portrait of J. Roquette, a doctor from Haarlem, presents us with a figure framed in the austere profile typical of its time. This image, rendered with delicate lines, features the doctor in his wig and formal attire, symbols of status and intellect during the Enlightenment. Consider the profile view itself, a motif stretching back to ancient coins and cameos, emblems of power and identity. Here, it speaks of a man of science and reason. Yet, there’s also a stiffness, a certain formality that hints at the psychological distance of the era. The wig, not merely a fashion statement but a signifier of profession and respectability, is an echo of the past, reminiscent of ceremonial headdresses in older cultures. It carries with it a sense of learned tradition. Over time, this symbol of authority has morphed, appearing in different forms, yet the underlying message of power remains. How intriguing it is that, through the centuries, the need to declare and perform one's status through dress and pose persists.