Head of an Old Man 

Alphonse Legros created this study of an old man's head in the 19th century, using graphite on paper. Notice the upward gaze, a motif we find echoed across centuries, from ancient sculptures of deities looking to the heavens to Renaissance depictions of saints in divine communion. This upward gaze speaks of aspiration, faith, and the search for higher meaning, and it reappears throughout the ages. Think of the statue of Moses by Michelangelo, the eyes turned upwards evoking spiritual intensity. It's more than just a physical direction; it’s a symbol of man reaching beyond the earthly realm. This symbolism is non-linear, each era imbuing it with new layers of meaning, reflecting our collective yearning for transcendence, passed down through art.