Portret van Jan Christiaan Fabius 1789 - 1822

This is Jan Willem Caspari's portrait of Jan Christiaan Fabius, a work that captures the sitter’s essence through the precise art of engraving. The stark white collar stands out, a symbol deeply rooted in religious and academic tradition. This seemingly simple attire carries echoes of similar garments across centuries, from the clerical robes of the medieval church to the academic gowns of Renaissance scholars. The collar signifies purity, authority, and a dedication to higher learning or spiritual duty. Consider how such a symbol persists, evolving yet retaining core associations. The act of adorning oneself in this manner taps into a collective memory, a subconscious recognition of established roles and ideals. It is a powerful, visual shorthand that transcends individual expression, engaging viewers on a profound, often unspoken, level. The symbol of the white collar has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings across different historical contexts, while maintaining a connection to its origins.