Twee mannenkoppen, waarvan één silhouetportret, in ovale omlijsting 18th century

This anonymous print presents two men's heads, one a detailed portrait and the other a silhouette, both framed by ovals. The silhouette, or shadow portrait, has ancient roots. Pliny the Elder tells of its origin in ancient Greece, when a maiden traced her lover's shadow before his departure. The act of tracing a shadow transforms the individual into a symbol, a dark echo. Shadow portraits capture not just likeness but something more profound. It is almost as if the shadow, stripped of detail, hints at the hidden, subconscious self. Consider how this simple profile echoes across time, reappearing in diverse forms. From ancient coins to modern graphic design, the profile distills identity to its most essential form. The silhouette, devoid of color and texture, speaks to the primal human fascination with light, shadow, and the very essence of identity. It’s a cyclical journey, this dance of image and symbol.