Volwassen man 1748 - 1795

Jan Chalon rendered this etching of an adult man in the late 18th century. Here we are confronted by a face laden with the weight of existence, its most striking feature being the furrowed brow. This brow, a universal signifier of concern, has roots stretching back through time. We see it echoed in ancient Roman busts, and it resonates even in the anguished visages of Renaissance depictions of the suffering Christ. Consider, for instance, the brow of Laocoön, forever caught in a battle against the serpents, a symbol of human struggle. Such imagery is not merely aesthetic; it taps into our collective memory. The act of furrowing one's brow is a primal, subconscious expression of internal turmoil, one that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries. It evokes a sympathetic response, a recognition of shared human vulnerabilities. The brow then, becomes a potent symbol—a vessel through which we project our own anxieties and empathies. It is a testament to the enduring power of human expression, constantly evolving yet eternally bound to our deepest emotions.