Studie van een hoofd van een oude man 1710 - 1767

Leonard Schenk created this head study of an old man in the Netherlands, sometime in the early to mid-1700s. This engraving exemplifies the era’s fascination with the antique. Images of philosophers, poets, and even anonymous ‘ancients’ were immensely popular. These images provided a visual link to the wisdom of the past, and were often collected by scholars and the educated elite. The printmaking workshops and distribution networks of the Netherlands were central to this trade. The aged man’s face is etched with fine lines, suggesting a life of experience. His simple cap and slightly dishevelled hair add an air of humility, but do not detract from the intellectual power suggested by the image. Understanding such a work requires knowledge of the history of printmaking, the art market, and the social and intellectual values of the Dutch Republic. These are just some of the research areas that help us to contextualize the image.