What has Euler got on his head here?

[dipole]

This is a very well-known portrait of Leonhard Euler, which I'm sure most people have seen before, but does anyone know what the heck he's wearing on his head?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Leonhard_Euler.jpg

It looks like someone threw a dirty old rag on him - does anyone know what the name of that headwear is, and what kind of function it serves?

 

[dlgoff]

Is it a Do-rag?

 

[Enigman]

http://books.google.com/books?id=75...gQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=euler cloth head&f=false
silk cloth to hide a bald head and no wig because of some custom.

 

[dipole]

http://books.google.com/books?id=75...gQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=euler cloth head&f=false
silk cloth to hide a bald head and no wig because of some custom.

Ha nice find, thanks for posting!

 

[LudusRex]

The headwear seen in this portrait is known as a "capuchon" or "capuchin," which was a common type of hat worn during the 18th century. It was typically made of wool or felt and was designed to keep the head warm. The distinctive shape of the capuchon, with its pointed top and long sides that could be tied under the chin, helped to protect the ears and neck from the cold. This headwear was often worn by scholars and intellectuals, such as Euler, as a symbol of their profession and status. It is likely that Euler wore this capuchon to keep warm while working in his unheated study or during outdoor activities.