Enrico Gamba, Kopf nach rechts 

This head study was sketched by Johann Heinrich Hasselhorst at an unknown date, and it resides at the Städel Museum. Observe how the sitter's turned head, with its gaze cast to the right, echoes a figure from classical antiquity. In ancient Roman portraiture, the turned head often symbolized contemplation or readiness to engage with the world. The beard, carefully cultivated, evokes a sense of wisdom. We find similar bearded figures in the guise of philosophers, writers, and spiritual leaders from throughout history. This symbolic gesture transcends time. The motif emerges in medieval depictions of saints, Renaissance portraits of humanist scholars, and even modern-day images of revolutionary thinkers. The recurrence of such imagery speaks to the enduring human need to connect with figures of authority, intellect, and moral guidance. Through art, the past is never truly gone, and the echoes of these symbols resonate deep within our cultural consciousness.