Portret van een man 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh sketched this “Portrait of a Man” in pencil. The subject is depicted in profile, a convention stretching back to ancient coins and Renaissance portraiture. The profile, by its very nature, presents a singular, unwavering perspective. Consider how the profile, in its stark simplicity, has served diverse purposes across time. From the idealized profiles of Roman emperors meant to project power, to the more intimate, introspective profiles found in Renaissance drawings. The act of turning away, of presenting only one side, can symbolize either detachment or a deep focus inward. There's a psychological dimension to this choice as well; a face turned away invites speculation, prompting viewers to project their own interpretations onto the unseen features. Does he look to the future, or retreat from it? The symbolic resonance of the profile continues to evolve, reminding us of the enduring power of simple forms to convey complex ideas.