Studieblad met hoofden en handen c. 1679 - 1750

This is a study sheet of heads and hands made by an anonymous artist, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Observe how each head is partially covered: one by a simple wrap, another by an elaborate turban-like headdress. These head coverings, ubiquitous in art, especially in depictions of women, transcend mere fashion. They symbolize modesty, piety, or even status, echoing the veils of antiquity, the nun's habit, or the headscarves of Renaissance portraits. Consider the recurring motif of covering, veiling, and obscuring. Recall the draped figures in classical sculpture or the veiled Madonnas of the Renaissance. The act of covering is not merely concealment but a powerful gesture invoking memory, longing, and the enigma of the hidden. This visual language speaks directly to our subconscious, hinting at the mysteries of faith and the depths of human emotion. It is a continuous thread, a "pathos formula," weaving through art history, constantly shifting and evolving.