Les Palatines. Habit Ordinaire.Les Casaquins c. 1730

This is an engraving by Antoine Hérisset, depicting fashionable dress. It's a visual compendium of status, announcing itself through the opulent display of fabrics and forms. Observe the cane, a seemingly simple prop in the ensemble of the 'Habit Ordinaire.' Beyond mere support, the cane has a rich history, evolving from a symbol of pilgrimage and guidance to a scepter-like emblem of authority. Think of Hermes's caduceus, a symbol of medicine, and its connection to the guiding staff. In this print, the cane, though secularized, still carries echoes of that primal association with direction and control. Consider how this symbol reemerges centuries later: it speaks of evolution, adaptation, and the enduring human need to project power through symbolic objects. This image is not just a record of fashion but a testament to the silent language of symbols. The play between visibility and concealment is a recurring theme, inviting us to ponder the hidden meanings behind sartorial choices.