Portret van Willem Bartjens 1635 - 1694

Dirck de Bray's portrait of Willem Bartjens is a testament to the power of symbols, rendered in ink around the mid-17th century. Encased in an ornamental frame, Bartjens appears dignified, his visage framed by a prominent ruff collar. This collar is more than mere fashion; it signifies status, a visual marker of the sitter’s place in society. Consider the ruff not just as adornment, but as a visual echo resonating through history. We observe similar forms in earlier Elizabethan portraits, each fold a statement of wealth and refinement. Yet, trace its evolution further, and it subtly transforms. In later, more simplified forms it loses the visual weight of its layers and yet its circular shape persists. Such visual echoes are no mere coincidence. They tap into a collective memory, a deep-seated recognition of forms that transcend time. These images persist, evolving yet retaining fragments of their original power. They are potent vessels of psychological and cultural meaning engaging us on a deeper level.