Portret van Franz Volkmar Reinhard 1829 - 1832

This engraving by Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger portrays Franz Volkmar Reinhard, and immediately, the stark white collar captures our attention. Such a collar has, for centuries, signified religious status and moral purity. We might recall similar collars across vastly different eras, from the stiff ruffs of the Elizabethan era, symbolizing status and formality, to the simple clerical collars worn today by priests. The collar is an enduring symbol of authority. It is also interesting to note the clean shaven face of the subject, which, by the late 1700s, was a move away from the aristocratic powdered wigs of the time. The recurring reappearance of the collar motif speaks to our collective need to visually distinguish roles of leadership. Symbols such as this engage viewers on a subconscious level because they are rooted in cultural memory and the psychological weight of tradition.