Vader keurt de Parijse snor van zijn zoon af 1847

This print, made by Rombertus Julianus van Arum, captures a fraught moment between father and son, focusing on the son's Parisian moustache. The moustache here becomes a symbol of foreign influence. Consider its journey through time: from ancient depictions of strength and virility, like the Assyrian kings with their elaborately styled beards, to its modern interpretation as a marker of cultural identity. The moustache, once a symbol of power, is now a symbol of rebellion against the old guard. This visual rebellion is not merely about aesthetics; it touches on generational divides and cultural anxieties. It is a projection of internal conflicts onto an external image, resonating deeply with viewers even today. The moustache is a potent visual motif, laden with cultural and emotional significance, ever-evolving and reappearing throughout history.