Buste van een man met een baard, in profiel 1660 - 1693

Jan Verkolje the Elder rendered this bust of a bearded man in profile, with etching, sometime in the late 17th century. The man's beard evokes images of philosophers and prophets from antiquity. Beards in art have long symbolized wisdom, age, and authority, think of Moses or Zeus. Here, the beard’s prominence suggests a connection to a lineage of thinkers and leaders. Interestingly, the tradition of depicting beards has shifted across time; we see clean-shaven faces during periods emphasizing youth and modernity. Yet, the archaic symbol of the beard endures, resurfacing in different eras. It conveys a collective memory of knowledge and experience. Here we perceive a powerful psychological element. By gazing upwards, he transcends the constraints of his immediate surroundings. This visual cue stirs deep-seated, subconscious feelings of hope and the pursuit of higher understanding. The cyclical progression of such symbols reveals the intricate dance between tradition and reinvention.