Portret van koning Hendrik IV van Frankrijk c. 1600 - 1630

Johannes Eillarts made this portrait of King Henry IV of France using engraving techniques. Note the iconic ruff around Henry's neck, a symbol of status and formality during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This fashion, born from practical necessity to protect clothing from the oils in one's hair, evolved into a marker of social standing, restricting movement yet commanding attention. Consider how this symbol has resurfaced in different forms across history, from the elaborate collars of Renaissance nobility to contemporary high fashion, each iteration carrying echoes of power, restriction, and identity. The ruff, therefore, becomes a powerful emblem of how cultural symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface, engaging our collective memory and subconscious associations with status and authority across time.