Portret van Jean Racine 1735 - 1765

This engraving by Pierre Dupin immortalizes Jean Racine with symbols of status: the elaborate wig, the fine lace, each detail speaks to the sitter's esteemed position. But let us consider the wig, a curious cascade of curls. It first emerged as a symbol of power in the court of Louis XIII, only to become a status symbol across Europe. Think back further; in ancient Egypt, wigs were worn for protection from the sun, and later as marks of distinction. In this portrait, the wig is not merely a fashion statement, but an assertion of Racine's place in the social hierarchy. Consider the psychological weight of such symbols. Collective memory embeds these images with power. From pharaohs to playwrights, the subconscious association with authority lingers, engaging us on a visceral level. And so, we witness the wig's cyclical return, its transformation from practical protection to signifier of power. It reappears in various guises, each time carrying echoes of its past, yet imbued with new meaning.