Portret van een man 1766 - 1770

Johannes Körnlein created this etching of a man whose identity is now lost to us. Note the heavy drapery and the man’s hand resting casually in his lap. This casualness, this sprezzatura, became popular during the Renaissance, a time of courtly nonchalance. Observe how this man's hand mirrors that of classical depictions of emperors and philosophers, a symbol of learnedness. It's a gesture, a visual motif, that carries immense psychological weight. We can trace its evolution through art history, from emperors to intellectuals, a signifier of power and contemplation. This simple etching reflects the human tendency to memorialize ourselves. It offers a glimpse into the past, hinting at the eternal desire to leave a mark. We engage with such images, and a silent, subconscious dialogue between the past and the present emerges. The echo of history, like a persistent dream, shapes our perception and understanding.