Hoofd van een jongeman, naar links gedraaid c. 1766

Pierre Charles Ingouf created this small etching, "Head of a Young Man, Turned to the Left," sometime in the late 18th century. Ingouf was working during a period of great social upheaval in France, as Enlightenment ideals began to challenge the status quo. The young man in the image is presented in a classical style, his features idealized and his gaze averted. Yet, his slightly disheveled hair and simple clothing hint at a departure from the rigid formality of the French court. Ingouf's choice to depict a young man, rather than a member of the aristocracy, might reflect the growing emphasis on individualism and the common person during this period. This image invites us to consider how notions of masculinity were evolving at the time. Is Ingouf presenting a new vision of manhood, one that values sensitivity and introspection over traditional displays of power? It's a quiet, intimate portrait that resonates with the spirit of change that was sweeping through France.