Head of an Old Man with Turban and Beard n.d.

Curator: This drawing, currently held at The Art Institute of Chicago, is titled "Head of an Old Man with Turban and Beard." We don't know who made it, or exactly when it was created. It seems to be a combination of charcoal and gouache on paper. Editor: It feels like a fleeting glimpse. The soft charcoal lends such vulnerability to his expression, that little downward glance hinting at introspection or maybe just weariness. Curator: Yes, the turban is fascinating, isn't it? It speaks to a possible interest in representing other cultures, a not uncommon fascination during certain periods. And of course, the beard signifies wisdom, experience... a whole life etched onto his face. Editor: Turban as crown. Think of its shape—the way it echoes halos, the sheer visual weight on the head. It's an immediate symbol of authority and presence, but rendered here in such muted tones it evokes power tempered by age, doesn't it? He feels both majestic and incredibly fragile. Curator: The technique is masterful. Note how the artist uses the white gouache highlights to bring out the texture of the beard and the folds of the turban, creating such volume from simple means. I almost want to say this might have been a study of character. Perhaps he wanted to get his physiognomy correct to portray something deeper. Editor: The slightly averted gaze enhances the ambiguity; we are looking *at* him, observing his likeness, but we are not privy to *what* he's observing. That distance… that feeling that we are both close and separated. It sparks my curiosity more than it reveals anything. It seems intentional—there is an invitation, or an entry point into empathy and wonder. Curator: Definitely. Perhaps this portrait allows us a little time to acknowledge time itself. What are your final thoughts? Editor: What stays with me is this gentle acceptance radiating from his gaze. All the wisdom and battles, right there in that single, beautifully drawn expression.