Hoge hoed 1840 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this drawing of a top hat in the 19th century using graphite and pen on paper. At the time, the top hat was more than just an accessory. It symbolized the rise of the bourgeois and their aspirations to climb the social ladder. Consider how this small drawing captures the rigid codes of class and masculinity of the era. The hat, carefully rendered, becomes a stand-in for the men who wore them. The drawing becomes an intimate portrayal of social identity. Look at the subtle details, the way the light falls on the brim, the texture implied through delicate lines. What do you feel when considering the weight of societal expectations carried within this seemingly simple object?