Portret van Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban 1838

Anthonie van Volkom created this portrait of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban using lithography. Dominating the image, the elaborate wig speaks volumes about status and power in the 17th and 18th centuries. But consider: this fashion, embraced by European elites, is not a sudden invention. Think back to the ancient world, where hairstyles signified rank and allegiance. The wig, then, is a modern echo of age-old power dynamics, a conscious revival of symbols from past epochs. It is a transformation, yet the essential message remains: to distinguish, to elevate. The psychological impact is undeniable. The wig commands attention. Viewers are subconsciously affected by these carefully constructed displays of authority. This cultural artifact has reappeared in modern times on fashion runways or even in movies where powdered wigs serve as a symbol of elitism. It is a symbol from the past, yet its emotional and social reverberations continue to shape our perceptions today.