Portret van de oudste zoon van Victor-Charles Mahillon 1897

Auguste Danse etched this portrait of Victor-Charles Mahillon's eldest son in 1878. Notice the subject's gaze, direct and unwavering, a convention that reaches back to ancient Roman portraiture, intended to convey authority and presence. This confrontational gaze is not merely a physical attribute but a psychological assertion, compelling us to meet his eyes and acknowledge his existence. Consider how this motif has been used across time. From royal effigies to Renaissance portraits, the direct gaze has served to establish the subject's power and status. Yet, in each iteration, the gaze is subtly altered, reflecting the changing values and psychological landscape of its time. Here, in Danse's etching, it projects not only confidence but a sense of introspection. The image engages our subconscious, drawing us into a silent dialogue with the past.