Neus en mond 1758 - 1806

Jean-Baptiste Lucien made this drawing, titled 'Neus en mond', with pen in gray ink and graphite, here at the Rijksmuseum. The focus is on the human mouth and nose, rendered in two different styles: one a mere contour, the other shaded with great attention to form. The isolated depiction of facial features reminds us of the power inherent in fragments. Throughout history, the mouth has been both a site of sensuality and communication, and the nose, the center of expression. Think of the grotesque masks of antiquity, where exaggerated mouths and noses convey deep emotion. Consider the Renaissance, when anatomical studies of the face aimed to capture ideal beauty, focusing on the proportions of these very features. Our collective memory recognizes these fragments, subconsciously connecting them to a vast history of representation. The choice to present them in contrasting styles—one barely there, the other vividly present—engages us on a deep, almost primal level. The fragment of the face, with its evolving significance, becomes a powerful symbol, constantly resurfacing and transforming across time.