Twee broeders 1875 - 1903

This lithograph, titled "Two Brothers," by Jan de Haan, presents a series of vignettes depicting a familial drama. Here, we witness not just a simple narrative, but a play of disobedience, authority, and societal norms, all expressed through symbolic gestures. The act of hair-cutting, central to this narrative, transcends mere grooming. Throughout art history, hair has been symbolic of strength, virility, and social identity. The shearing of Evert’s hair, then, represents a stripping away, a symbolic punishment enacted by the father figure who embodies societal law and order. This motif of hair-cutting echoes through time. In various cultures, it has symbolized mourning, submission, or even humiliation. Think of the biblical Samson, whose strength resided in his hair, or the shorn heads of women accused of infidelity in post-war France. The psychological impact of this act is profound, touching on themes of control, vulnerability, and the loss of personal agency. The image taps into our subconscious understanding of power dynamics, engaging us on a deeply emotional level as we witness this symbolic act of paternal discipline. The lithograph becomes a microcosm of societal expectations and the consequences of defiance, capturing a cyclical drama that resurfaces throughout history, with hair as its poignant signifier.