Portret van Pieter van Bleiswijk (1724-90), raadpensionaris van Holland 1750 - 1789

Jean-Étienne Liotard captured Pieter van Bleiswijk, the grand pensionary of Holland, in this miniature portrait. The powdered wig, a ubiquitous symbol of status, speaks volumes. Consider how the wig evolved from a practical necessity against lice to a potent emblem of authority. We see its echoes in ancient hairstyles meant to distinguish the ruling class, and later in the elaborate courtly fashions across Europe. Think of Louis XIV, whose own voluminous wigs broadcast his power. The wig is not merely a fashion statement; it is a psychological assertion of control, a visible signifier of one’s place in the social hierarchy. Even now, remnants of such symbols persist, albeit in more subtle forms, shaping our perceptions and behaviors. This portrait serves as a reminder that these visual cues resonate deeply within our collective memory, and continue to shape our understanding of power and identity.