Portrait of Greta Prozor 1916

Henri Matisse captured Greta Prozor's likeness with oils on canvas in this portrait. The hat worn by the subject is adorned with a bow, a motif echoed throughout art history, dating back to ancient Rome, where ribbons symbolized status and festivity. Consider the recurrence of the bow. In Renaissance portraits, it signified marital bonds; yet, observe its evolution. By the 18th century, bows in Rococo art became symbols of frivolous elegance, adorning the dresses of aristocrats. Here, the bow's presence may initially suggest sophistication, but there is also an echo of the past. The symbol's shift reflects evolving societal values, yet it taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with status and social identity. Thus, we see how the bow is never truly new, each iteration a palimpsest of meanings, layered and relayered across time.