Portrait of a Man 1665 - 1675

This small, oval portrait presents us with a man whose identity is shrouded in mystery. His elaborate wig, however, speaks volumes, echoing the fashions of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Consider the wig: more than mere adornment, it was a potent symbol of status, intellect, and authority. We see its echoes in the lion's mane, a timeless emblem of strength and virility. This association isn't accidental. The wig, like the lion's mane, evokes a sense of power, transforming the wearer into a figure of awe and respect. Think of Alexander the Great, whose iconic hairstyle became a symbol of his leadership. Similarly, the wig carries a psychological weight, tapping into our collective memory of leadership and dominance. The wig's transformation across time is a testament to its enduring power as a signifier. It embodies our primal fascination with symbols of authority, ever-evolving yet eternally present.