Manshoofd, neerziend naar rechts 1796 - 1850

Jean Augustin Daiwaille sketched "Man's Head, Looking Down to the Right" using graphite, sometime in the early 19th century. It was a period marked by significant shifts in social structures following the French Revolution. The study of the male head invites us to consider the role of men in a rapidly changing society. Daiwaille has focused on the fine details of the ageing face and how light plays across the contours of the face. The man's gaze, cast downward, suggests a moment of introspection. Is it the weight of societal expectations, the burden of leadership, or personal contemplation that draws his eyes down? In a time of shifting social roles, the artist captures a moment of human vulnerability. The sketch invites a dialogue about the burdens and reflections of masculinity and the silent, internal experiences of men.