Kop van een oude man 1749

Johann Gottlieb Glume created this ‘Head of an Old Man’ etching. Notice the interplay of light and shadow achieved through a dense network of fine lines. The texture, created by the varying pressure of the etching tool, gives the image depth and tactile presence. Glume uses line work to define the contours of the face, emphasizing the wrinkles and folds of age. The composition directs our gaze towards the subtle expression of the man, inviting contemplation on mortality and the passage of time. The cross-hatching technique, employed to build tonal values, also serves as a structural framework, reinforcing the form. The density of lines and shading shapes our perception and interpretation of the subject. How does this formal choice influence the overall meaning? Consider how Glume prompts us to confront the realities of aging, and to consider our own understanding of time.