Portrait of a Man (Louis de Lorraine?, 1555–1588) 16th century

This is a drawing of a man, possibly Louis de Lorraine, made in the late 16th century by an unknown artist. The most striking feature is the sitter's high, ruffled collar. This collar, evolving from the more modest necklines of earlier periods, became a symbol of status and refinement. Consider how this elaborate collar relates to similar symbols across cultures and eras. We might see echoes of it in the towering headdresses of ancient Egypt or the ornate ruffs of Elizabethan England. Each of these, in its own way, broadcasts a message of power and social standing. There is a subconscious yearning for distinction and recognition that drives such displays. This motif resurfaces time and again, adapted and reshaped to fit the prevailing tastes and values of different epochs, as a visual shorthand for the wearer's perceived importance.