Portret van Joachim Rendorp

Willem van Senus created this engraving of Joachim Rendorp. Observe Rendorp’s elaborate wig, a potent symbol of status and authority in the 18th century. This fashion, popularized by Louis XIII, began as a practical solution to baldness but evolved into an emblem of power. Across Europe, men of prominence adopted this style to signal their allegiance to aristocratic values and intellectual pursuits. The wig is reminiscent of the flowing manes of ancient lions, symbols of strength and dominion. Similarly, consider the portraits of Roman emperors, whose hairstyles and beards were carefully cultivated to project an image of authority. This engraved portrait evokes the tradition of such symbols, reflecting how society's collective memory subtly influences the adoption and interpretation of status symbols.