Portret van Thomas Ferdinand Joseph Bianchi 1809

Jacob Ernst Marcus created this print of Thomas Ferdinand Joseph Bianchi using etching. The top hat, a symbol of modernity and upward mobility, sits atop Bianchi's head. Originally associated with the working classes, by this time, it had been adopted by the bourgeoisie, a signifier of shifting social dynamics. Consider how, across centuries, headwear has always been a powerful marker of identity. Think of the Phrygian cap, donned during the French Revolution, or even the crown of a monarch. In each case, the hat signifies status, allegiance, or rebellion. The hat continues to morph across the ages, echoing in modern urban subcultures. This seemingly simple choice of attire, passed down through history, shows the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols. It is a continuous resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different contexts.