Portret van een vrouw, naar links 1710 - 1777

Mattheus Verheyden created this portrait of a woman using graphite and charcoal on paper in the 18th century. Observe her coiffure, a cascade of meticulously arranged curls, a style not merely ornamental but deeply symbolic. In the collective memory of European courts, hairstyles were powerful indicators of social standing. Think of the elaborate wigs of the French aristocracy, each curl a testament to wealth and status. Such a hairstyle echoes through art history, appearing in Roman sculptures, Renaissance portraits, and even finding echoes in modern-day fashion. What began as a symbol of luxury has transformed, reappearing in different guises, from signs of opulence to high fashion. The enduring appeal of stylized hair speaks to our primal fascination with transformation. It touches our subconscious through collective memory and the continuous desire to assert identity. It evokes a sense of longing and belonging.