Dimensions: height 193 mm, width 148 mm, height 315 mm, width 245 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is a reproduction of a drawing of a man’s head by Giovanni Brampton Philpot. Philpot lived during a time of immense social change, between the rise of industrialism and the Victorian era. Here, Philpot captures a moment in time through a classical lens, reproducing a study of an older man. His brow is furrowed and his lips are pursed. There's a wreath-like crown on his head, that might symbolize wisdom and victory but the man's expression suggests a story of hardship. It makes you wonder what battles he has fought, or what wisdom he has had to earn. Consider how Philpot, working within the conventions of portraiture, still manages to convey a sense of individuality and lived experience through his subject. The work invites you to reflect on the complex interplay between representation, identity, and personal narrative.
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