Staande cavalier met cape en gepluimde hoed, van achteren gezien 1633 - 1665

Salomon Savery rendered this standing cavalier with cape and plumed hat in ink. The plumed hat, a symbol of status and swagger, speaks volumes about the wearer's aspirations and place in society. Note how the cavalier’s posture, turned away from us, evokes a sense of mystery. This motif echoes in countless portraits across the ages, from Renaissance nobles to modern-day celebrities, each carefully projecting an image of power and aloofness. Consider, too, the cane he leans upon – more than just a walking aid, it is a scepter of sorts, a marker of authority. Think of how the scepter appears in royal portraits throughout history. These symbols remind us that even in the most fleeting of images, the weight of history and the currents of human desire are always at play. They offer a glimpse into the complex dance between individual identity and collective memory.