Volwassen man, naar rechts 1802

Jan Chalon created this etching, titled 'Volwassen man, naar rechts' - 'Mature man, facing right' - sometime between his birth in 1738 and death in 1795. Chalon was working during a tumultuous period, when traditional hierarchies were being questioned, and new ideas about individual rights were emerging. The French Revolution, with its emphasis on liberty, equality, and fraternity, was upending European society. In this context, portraiture became less about representing status and more about capturing the individual. Here, Chalon presents us with a man whose gaze carries the weight of experience. The wrinkles etched into his face speak of a life lived, marked by time and, perhaps, hardship. The intensity of the man’s stare suggests an inner life, a depth of character that transcends social standing. It invites us to look beyond the surface and consider the complexities of human experience during an age of revolution.