Silhouet van Ds.Ten Dall met pruik, naar rechts kijkend c. 1700 - 1800

H. van Kuyk created this silhouette of Reverend Ten Dall, gazing right, sometime in the 18th or 19th century. Silhouettes like this one were popular because they offered a relatively affordable way to capture a person’s likeness. In a society deeply stratified by class, clothing and adornment, like the elaborate wig worn here, visually signaled one’s position. Beyond class, this work speaks to religious identity. The Reverend’s attire reflects his status within the church. His gaze is directed but intangible. Who is he looking at and what does he see? Silhouetted portraits invite questions about visibility and representation. This image captures an individual, but it also reflects the broader social structures of its time. It is a potent reminder of how identity is both personal and profoundly shaped by social and cultural forces.