Portrait of a man 1600

El Greco painted this portrait of an unknown man with oil on canvas in the late 16th century. Note the striking ruff collar, a symbol of status and formality, encircling the subject's neck like a halo. This rigid, almost architectural structure contrasts with the soft, expressive face, hinting at the tension between outward appearance and inner self. The ruff, evolving from simple neck coverings, became a statement of wealth and adherence to social norms. We see echoes of this in earlier, more modest forms of neckwear across various cultures, each adapted to signify identity and belonging. Consider how such symbols persist, transforming through time, yet rooted in our collective need for expression. Here, the ruff is more than mere fashion; it's a psychological barrier, a mask that both reveals and conceals the individual beneath. The gaze, however, penetrates, engaging us on a subconscious level. This interplay between concealment and revelation is a recurring theme in portraiture. The symbol of the ruff continues to resurface, adapted and reinterpreted, mirroring our ever-evolving dance between conformity and individuality.