De wijze Staatsman Possibly 1897

Here we see "The Wise Statesman," an early work by Willem van Konijnenburg, likely a lithograph, depicting a politician amidst dancing women. Notice how the women are adorned with elaborate hats and frilly dresses, bearing labels referencing Parisian origins. These are not mere figures, but symbols. The dancing women evoke a sense of carefree abandon. The motif of dancing figures has ancient roots, from the ecstatic dances of Dionysus to the celebratory processions of Renaissance festivals. Yet, in this modern context, the dance takes on a different hue. It suggests a world of fleeting pleasures, a departure from the gravitas of political life. The politician's relaxed posture contrasts with the women's frenzy. The image reflects a cultural obsession with Paris as a center of fashion and entertainment. Such images have historically recurred, echoing in various forms across centuries. It is through these symbols that we grasp the interplay between political power and societal pleasures.