Portetbuste van een (Spaanse?) heer, naar links before 1649

Gerard ter Borch the Younger sketched this portrait of a gentleman, perhaps Spanish, with graphite. The gentleman's mustache and goatee, set against his long flowing locks, speaks volumes about the cultural aesthetics of his time. Facial hair has been a marker of identity and status across centuries. Think of the ancient Egyptians and their elaborate beards, symbols of power and divinity, or the clean-shaven Romans who prized youth and virility. In the 17th century, beards and mustaches signified masculinity and social standing, as seen in portraits of monarchs and nobles across Europe. This motif echoes through time, resurfacing even today in contemporary fashion. The gentleman's gaze, directed slightly off-center, conveys a sense of introspection, inviting us to delve into his world and ponder the ever-evolving nature of identity. The image remains etched in our collective memory.