Handschoen van J.R. Thorbecke c. 1850

These gloves belonged to Johan Rudolph Thorbecke, a towering figure in 19th-century Dutch politics, but made anonymously. Thorbecke was instrumental in drafting the 1848 Dutch constitution, which introduced parliamentary democracy to the Netherlands. These gloves are more than mere garments; they are emblems of power, intellect, and the weighty responsibility of shaping a nation. Wearing gloves in the 19th century was not just about warmth or protection, but about decorum, class, and social presentation. While we don't know the maker of these gloves, the history of such garments is deeply entwined with the labor of women, often working in harsh conditions. The gloves invite us to consider the relationship between the personal and the political. They bridge the gap between the man, Thorbecke, and the legacy of democracy he helped to forge.