Portret van Lucas de Clercq 1888 - 1891

Here is a portrait of Lucas de Clercq, captured by Willem Steelink. Note the striking ruff collar, a symbol of status and formality, harking back to the Elizabethan era. Its crisp, starched folds are not merely decorative; they speak of societal rank and the sitter's place within the structured world of the Dutch Golden Age. This collar, in its various iterations, appears throughout history—from the simple linen of medieval clergy to the elaborate lace of Renaissance nobility. Consider how such a motif carries within it the weight of history, each appearance echoing past epochs. Like a recurring dream, it resurfaces, its meaning subtly altered by the changing times. This image isn't just a representation; it's a conduit, connecting us to the cultural memory embedded in the very fabric of our being. It is a dance through time.