Portrait of Johann Georg von Holzhausen (1643-1721) 

Painted by Johann Heinrich Roos, this portrait captures Johann Georg von Holzhausen amidst the fashion of his time. The imposing wig, a symbol of status and power, dominates the composition. Consider how the wig, a carefully crafted artifice, echoes the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors. These symbols were revived during the Renaissance as emblems of triumph and authority. Yet, here, the wig takes on a life of its own, a cascading torrent that both enhances and nearly consumes the sitter. It speaks to the Baroque era’s obsession with artifice, ornamentation, and the theatrical display of self. The subconscious pull of symbols like these engages us still, stirring primal associations of dominance and control, even as fashion evolves and dictates new forms of expression. This portrait captures how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.