Portrait of a Man (recto); A Male Torso in Jacket and the Head of a Child (verso) 1740s

Giuseppe Ghislandi, or Fra Vittore Galgario, rendered this portrait of a man with sanguine chalk. The face, framed by a large wig, stares out, seemingly caught between worlds. Consider the gaze. It is reminiscent of the *impassible* faces found in Roman portraiture, echoing the stoicism and gravitas associated with leadership and wisdom. Yet, here, there's a softness, a hint of melancholy. This motif of looking, imbued with layers of meaning, can be traced back to antiquity. Think of the Fayum mummy portraits of Roman Egypt, where the deceased gaze outward, bridging the gap between life and afterlife. The psychological weight of the image is potent. It speaks to our shared human experience, this dance between the individual and the archetypal, the mortal and the eternal. The symbol of the gaze becomes a powerful force, engaging us on a subconscious level. The visual symbol of the gaze transcends specific periods, resurfacing in distinct forms, and accumulating new layers of interpretation.