Dutch family 1662

Pieter de Hooch painted this scene of a Dutch family, using oil on canvas. The family's dress evokes the sober elegance and social decorum of the time. The striking use of black and white in their attire, especially the broad white collars, serves as a powerful visual symbol. The white collar, in particular, appears in portraits throughout the 17th century, signifying not only status and purity but also a kind of moral uprightness. These stark contrasts remind me of similar motifs that appear across different times and places; the white ruffs worn by Spanish nobles in Velázquez’s paintings, for example. In these portraits, as in De Hooch’s, we see how the image carries emotional weight related to social standing and personal integrity. It becomes clear that the use of costume and colour impacts the subconscious processes behind art production. This simple detail of a white collar powerfully engages viewers, evoking sentiments of respectability and solemnity. Each element is part of an emotional and cultural lexicon passed down.