Hoofd van een oude man 1831 - 1890

Editor: Here we have Jean Baptiste Pierre Michiels's "Head of an Old Man," an engraving that, according to the museum, could be from anywhere between 1831 and 1890. The man looks wise, maybe even a bit world-weary. What catches your eye when you look at this print? Curator: It's all in the beard, isn't it? Think about it, it's like a curtain, carefully drawn aside just enough to offer us a peek at something profound. That swirling mass of hair and beard, rendered with such meticulous detail in the engraving, hides as much as it reveals, don’t you think? Editor: That's a beautiful thought. There's such an emphasis on detail in the hair, as opposed to, say, his clothes or even his face. Why do you think Michiels did that? Curator: I see it as almost… sculptural. The lines of the engraving almost carve the light out of the darkness, forming a tangible sense of texture and weight. But also, look at the shadow play on his face! Michiels gives us just enough to spark our curiosity about his history, doesn't he? He leaves the real story untold, letting us project our own narratives onto that canvas of age and experience. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, more as a mask than a peek. Thanks, that’s insightful! Curator: It's all about layers, darling, both on the page and within ourselves. The older I get the more layers I discover. Editor: Exactly! And it is those layers that enrich our interpretations!