Studieblad met drie staande figuren 1722 - 1784

This sheet with three standing figures was drawn by Simon Fokke in the 18th century. Notice the figure to the left: his posture, leaning on a cane, is a study in the language of power. This is not merely a way of standing; it is a declaration, inherited from the scepter-bearing kings of antiquity. Consider, for example, the scepters of Roman emperors. These symbols evolved from simple staffs of office into ornate emblems of divine right. Similarly, the cane here is not just a walking aid, but a subtle assertion of authority. Note that the man’s hat mirrors that same upward, triangular form. It is almost as if, through clothing and posture, a man could become a monument. Yet, as we venture towards the common man in the center, we see a subversion. Perhaps Fokke is exploring the psychological distance between the elite and the common man. This drawing reminds us that symbols are not static. They are continually reinterpreted, challenged, and reborn.