Portret van Constantin Mavrocordat 1722 - 1775

Georg Friedrich Schmidt created this print of Constantin Mavrocordat. Look closely at the fur hat and robe, marks of status and power in 18th-century Moldavia. Consider how these garments echo similar symbols across cultures. The fur, a sign of wealth, and the ornate decorations on the robe, suggesting authority, are not unique to this time or place. We see echoes in the imperial robes of Roman emperors and the ceremonial attire of Byzantine rulers. The hat itself—think of the papal mitre or the crowns of European monarchs—it’s a recurring motif of leadership. Interestingly, this visual language has a psychological dimension. Clothing is never merely functional; it's a projection of identity. The heavy furs and elaborate designs evoke a sense of awe, intended to impress upon the viewer the subject's elevated position. This impulse—to assert dominance through attire—taps into primal instincts, reflecting a deep-seated human drive for recognition and power. These symbols of authority have had a non-linear progression, resurfacing and evolving through history.