Portret van Heinrich Ulrich 1657 - 1720

This is Johann Alexander Böner's portrait of Heinrich Ulrich, an engraving of delicate lines held at the Rijksmuseum. Ulrich is framed by a ruffled collar, a symbol of status and fashion during the 17th century. This elaborate collar reminds me of the evolution of neckwear throughout history, from the simple protective cloths of antiquity to the ornate lace collars of the Renaissance. Consider the psychological weight of such adornments. What begins as mere protection transforms into a signifier of identity, almost a mask. We see echoes of this in the stiff, high collars worn by Spanish nobility, each iteration seemingly a new layer of protection, an armor against the world. These symbols have an emotional resonance, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The cycle continues: what was once functional becomes symbolic, and then, perhaps, functional once more, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.