Aernout van Citters (1633-96), Ambassador of the Dutch Republic in London

Gottfried Kneller captured Aernout van Citters, the Dutch Republic’s ambassador, on canvas with oil paints. The flowing wig, a symbol of status, envelops the ambassador, its dark waves cascading around his face like a theatrical mask. Consider the symbolism of hair throughout history. Samson’s strength lay in his uncut locks; medieval tonsures marked religious devotion. Here, the wig, far from being a natural attribute, is deliberately artificial. It speaks of power and social standing, of conformity and performance. The elaborate curls echo the drapery, blurring the line between man and adornment. This sartorial statement reminds me of Roman sculptures where drapery denoted status and power. Just as those ancient togas shaped identity, so too does this wig. These symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.