Man kijkt naar zijn spiegelbeeld in het water 1741 - 1820

Abraham Delfos created this print titled 'Man Looking at His Reflection in the Water', in the late 18th or early 19th century. During this era, introspection became a theme of increasing fascination. Here, a privileged man, dressed in fine clothes, encounters his reflection. Look at the emotions on his face. His eyes are wide with a mix of shock and recognition. What does he see? Perhaps he's confronted with his own mortality, or maybe it is a dawning awareness of societal expectations. The dark, natural setting contrasts sharply with his refined attire, suggesting a conflict between nature and culture. The sword at his side and the discarded papers imply a life of action and intellect, now paused for self-examination. Delfos invites us to consider the complex interplay between public identity and private self. How do we see ourselves versus how society sees us? This image captures the moment when those reflections collide.