Head of an elderly gentleman 

This head study of an elderly gentleman was rendered in graphite by Johann Heinrich Hasselhorst. The subject’s resolute gaze is set slightly off to the side, a common motif in portraiture harking back to classical antiquity, used to convey a sense of thoughtfulness. Think of the Roman busts, where such averted gazes were not mere stylistic choices, but cues suggesting wisdom, virtue, and a life rich in contemplation. Now, consider how this motif echoes through Renaissance paintings, where saints and scholars often look towards a divine or intellectual horizon. Even in modern photography, this gesture persists, subtly imbuing the subject with an aura of introspection. The averted gaze, then, becomes a visual echo resonating across millennia, each time colored by the cultural and psychological nuances of its era. It suggests an emotional depth that transcends time, engaging viewers in a dialogue that stretches back through generations.