Portret van Jean-François Regnard 1805

This engraving by Augustin de Saint-Aubin portrays Jean-François Regnard in profile, encased in an oval frame. The elaborate wig, a hallmark of the 18th century, speaks volumes about status and identity. Consider this wig not merely as fashion, but as a potent symbol. Across centuries, hair has signified power, virility, and social standing. Think of the biblical Samson, whose strength resided in his hair, or the carefully styled coiffures of Egyptian pharaohs. Regnard's wig, therefore, connects him to a long lineage of individuals who used hair to project authority. Yet, there's a twist. The wig's artificiality introduces a layer of theatricality, almost like a mask. This artifice hints at the performative nature of identity, a concept that resonates across time. This cyclical progression is how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.