Portret van een man 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot created this portrait of a man using graphite. The subject's elaborate wig, powdered and styled, speaks volumes about status and adherence to social codes of the 18th century. Consider the wig not merely as a fashion statement, but as a potent symbol of authority and societal role. One might trace its lineage back to the ceremonial headdresses of ancient priests or the elaborate hairstyles of classical sculptures. Even in ancient Egypt, hair was used as a symbol of status. The wig in this portrait, therefore, becomes a signifier of conformity, a mask through which the individual performs his social identity. This tension between the individual and the prescribed role engages our subconscious, prompting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of identity and performance across history. This symbol continually resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings.