Cassive 1896

This is a sketch of Cassive by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Her gaze is cast off to the side, away from us, suggesting a world of private thoughts, a gesture seen in countless portraits across time. The motif of the averted gaze carries with it a sense of melancholy, of introspection. Think of the Roman busts where the subject looks off to the side, or even earlier, in Egyptian tomb paintings where figures rarely meet our eyes directly. This symbolic choice speaks to a deeper cultural and psychological need to portray the subject as thoughtful. It suggests a rich inner life, removed from the immediate moment, a world of memories and reflections. Consider how the averted gaze appears in Renaissance portraits, often indicating modesty or piety. The eyes tell us that Cassive is not merely being looked at; she is also thinking, feeling, and existing beyond the confines of the sketch. This cyclical progression of symbols allows artists to convey a full image of a person across time.