Portrait of an Old Man n.d.

In the 18th century, Francesco Zuccarelli captured this contemplative "Portrait of an Old Man" in graphite. Zuccarelli, living in a time of immense social change, was known for his idyllic landscapes which often seemed to mask the realities of poverty and inequality. Here, the artist focuses on the individual. The lines are etched with a subtle sense of humanity. This subject isn't presented as a grand figure, but as someone weathered by time, his identity etched into the lines on his face. Consider the gaze. There's a sense of weariness, perhaps a lifetime of stories untold. This drawing may encourage us to reflect on how society values and perceives aging, and on the untold stories carried by individuals whose visages reflect the passage of time. It asks us to consider the dignity and worth of every stage of life.