Steek van J.R. Thorbecke c. 1850

This is J.R. Thorbecke’s hat, a 'steek', made anonymously and now residing in the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the object’s formal qualities strike a balance between austerity and opulence. The hat’s dark, matte fabric provides a muted foundation, yet it’s adorned with a burst of white feathers that introduce a playful textural contrast, softening the overall visual impression. What's particularly striking is the addition of gold embellishments. The meticulously arranged cords and the radiating rosette introduce a semiotic tension. The gold against the dark fabric creates a visual hierarchy. This interplay could reflect the socio-political dynamics of Thorbecke's era. The hat, then, becomes more than mere headwear. It’s a coded artifact, inviting us to decode the values and power structures embedded within its design. The visual rhetoric employed here serves not just to adorn, but to communicate status and authority.