Buste van een vrouw met hoed c. 1888 - 1891

Willem Witsen sketched this bust of a woman with charcoal, capturing a fleeting moment. The hat she wears, a prominent feature, speaks volumes. Head coverings, since antiquity, have denoted status, piety, or profession. Consider the veils of Byzantine empresses or the elaborate headgear of Renaissance nobility; the hat, in its varied forms, has always been a signifier. This particular hat, with its sharp angles and imposing presence, reflects the changing times. In the late 19th century, fashion became a powerful tool for women expressing individuality and modernity. This simple sketch belies the complex interplay of social identity and personal expression, echoing through time in the myriad ways we adorn ourselves to communicate who we are, or who we aspire to be.