Portret van een man met baard 1882 - 1920

This is a portrait of a bearded man by B. Desgranges, its date unknown. The oval frame, a common style, encloses a man in formal attire, his beard being a focal point. The beard, historically, symbolizes wisdom, status, and virility across cultures. Think of the ancient philosophers with their long beards, emblems of profound thought and experience, or the patriarchal figures in religious art. The beard signifies a mature man, a pillar of society, much like Zeus with his flowing beard, embodying power and authority. This symbol evolves; in modern times, the beard can be a sign of rebellion, a statement against corporate conformity. Yet, the underlying psychological resonance remains: the beard evokes a connection to tradition, to archetypal male figures, and to a sense of rootedness. This image thus engages our collective memory, touching upon deep-seated notions of masculinity and authority. The image shows us how symbols persist, transforming yet carrying echoes of their past.