Man met baard en bontmuts 1741 - 1820

Abraham Delfos created this print, "Man met baard en bontmuts," using etching techniques sometime in the late 18th century. The detailed rendering invites a consideration of the cultural values and status symbols of the period. During this time, sumptuary laws dictated who could wear what, reflecting social hierarchies. The man’s fur hat and coat indicate wealth and status, visually marking his position within the Dutch Republic's societal structure. His direct gaze and confident posture reinforce an assertion of identity rooted in material privilege. Yet, the very act of portraying this man raises questions about representation and power. Who had the right to be seen and remembered? Whose stories were being told? The artwork encourages reflection on the complexities of identity, status, and representation in the 18th century, urging us to consider whose stories are visible and whose remain untold.