Edelman, boer, poorter en magistraat in kleding uit de twaalfde eeuw 1857

This anonymous drawing at the Rijksmuseum depicts four figures from the twelfth century, rendered with delicate lines and subtle shading. The composition divides the figures into two distinct pairs. On the left we see an ‘Edelman’ and ‘Boer’, while on the right, a ‘Poorter’ and ‘Magistraat’. The artist employs line work to distinguish textures and social status through clothing and posture. The figures are static, yet their arrangement suggests a narrative, perhaps highlighting social dynamics or contrasts within the medieval hierarchy. The drawing may reflect an interest in historical classification, typical of the period in which it was made, by exploring social structures through the semiotics of dress and pose. The artist invites us to decode the visual cues that signify each figure's role in society, challenging us to reflect on how representation reinforces or questions established social categories.