Portret van Johannes Abraham Dederiks Molster 1822 - 1847

Cornelis Brantsma rendered this portrait of Johannes Abraham Dederiks Molster in ink using pen and brush. Notice the subject’s attire, particularly the high, white clerical collar. This element is reminiscent of earlier, more overtly religious vestments, echoing motifs of purity and spiritual authority. Similar collars can be traced back through Renaissance portraits of clergymen, to even earlier depictions of saints and biblical figures. Consider how this symbol has traveled through time, shifting from an explicit marker of religious devotion to a more subdued indication of professional or social status. The persistence of such symbols reveals a deep-seated human need for visual cues that signal morality and authority. This collar, a descendant of sacred garments, engages our collective memory, subconsciously evoking notions of righteousness and tradition. It is a prime example of how symbols retain power, even as their overt meanings evolve across generations.