Portret van Jan Mandijn c. 1720 - 1774

Here is the audio guide script: This etching, made by Cornelis van den Berg, captures the likeness of Jan Mandijn. Dominating the composition is the sitter's peculiar hat, a soft cap that speaks volumes about the sitter's identity and era. Such headgear, while seemingly simple, echoes through art history, hinting at a connection to artisans, scholars, or perhaps those who wished to signal a detachment from courtly fashion. Consider the recurrence of similar caps in depictions of philosophers and artists across different epochs. This sartorial choice becomes a symbol of creative or intellectual identity. We see a symbolic link forming across centuries, revealing an unconscious desire to align oneself with a lineage of thinkers and creators. Observe also the pipe in Mandijn’s mouth, a symbol of contemplation and leisurely pursuit of thought. This emblem, like the hat, transcends time and place, resurfacing in various guises to denote intellect, or the simple, human pleasure of pausing for reflection. It is a visual echo that reminds us how cultural symbols are continuously reshaped and reinterpreted.