Portret van Johann Georg von Bergen 1687 - 1749

Heinrich Jakob Otto created this print of Johann Georg von Bergen. The elaborate wig, a dominant symbol in this portrait, speaks volumes about status and identity in its time. Consider how hair, throughout history, has carried immense cultural weight. From the carefully styled locks of ancient Egyptian royalty to the tonsured heads of monks, hair signifies adherence to or departure from societal norms. Think, for instance, of the flowing manes in Renaissance portraits, symbols of virility and freedom, echoing in Bergen's own cascade of curls. The wig, in a way, is a mask, yet it reveals as much as it conceals. It transforms the wearer, projecting authority and sophistication. The emotional effect is powerful, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, inviting them to reflect on how we construct and perform identity. This symbol continues its cyclical journey, resurfacing in different forms, evolving, and acquiring new meanings across eras.