Portret van Nicolaes Cornelisz. Witsen 1747 - 1759

Jacob Houbraken's portrait of Nicolaes Cornelisz. Witsen captures the man in fine detail, an etching on paper, immortalizing him in a classic pose of the era. Here, the full, flowing wig is a central motif, a symbol of status and power that dates back to the French court of Louis XIII, spreading as an emblem of authority and intellectual prestige. Consider how this symbol echoes through time, from the powdered wigs of European aristocracy to the carefully coiffed hairstyles of modern leaders, each iteration carrying a weight of aspiration and control. The wig conceals and transforms, subtly altering the wearer’s identity. It speaks volumes about the wearer's desire to project a certain image, and this desire is as relevant today as it was then. These symbols remind us that even in the smallest details, humanity projects its desires and aspirations. These symbols are repeated and reinterpreted across the ages.