Kop van een oude man met baard, te Tanger 1865 - 1922

Jac van Looij created this study of an old, bearded man's head in Tangier with a simple yet evocative use of chalk. The long, flowing beard immediately brings to mind images of prophets and sages, figures of wisdom and guidance that stretch back through centuries of art. Consider, for instance, the depiction of Moses or the Old Testament prophets, who are often shown with long beards as symbols of their divine inspiration and age. The beard, therefore, becomes a signifier not just of age but of accumulated knowledge and spiritual insight. The artist, through the iconography of the beard, taps into this collective memory, engaging viewers on a deeply subconscious level. The serious expression on the man's face, combined with the stark contrast of light and shadow, conveys a sense of introspection and solemnity. This image invites reflection on the cyclical nature of life, how symbols resurface and evolve, carrying cultural and emotional weight across time and space.