Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, burgemeester van Amsterdam 1787 - 1795

This silver medal depicts Hendrik Danielsz. Hooft, mayor of Amsterdam. The most striking feature is the elaborate wig. Such wigs were not merely fashion statements, they were potent symbols of status and power. The wig emerged in the 17th century, gaining popularity amongst the French Aristocracy. The trend quickly spread across Europe, becoming a visual shorthand for authority. Consider how, even today, judges and barristers in many legal systems don wigs, maintaining a direct link to this historical assertion of power. Looking at the mayor's wig, one might ponder on the psychological weight it carries, how it projects an image of unshakeable authority. This isn't a static symbol; instead, it has evolved, yet it still evokes feelings tied to historical notions of power. It is a clear example of how human expression and our collective memories manifest and resurface through symbols, echoing across time.