Portrait of Berthe Serruys 1894

Georges Lemmen created this drawing, "Portrait of Berthe Serruys," using graphite on paper. The profile view is steeped in history, echoing ancient Roman portraiture, which sought to immortalize individuals through precisely rendered profiles. Consider the act of turning one's gaze away. It suggests introspection, a withdrawal into the self that artists like the Pre-Raphaelites explored to convey melancholy or longing. It is a common trope, isn't it? One sees it echoed through Botticelli's figures turning away in contemplation to Renaissance sculptures capturing the pensive spirit of the human condition. Over time, what was once a symbol of nobility has become associated with quiet contemplation. Even today, this simple pose triggers something deep within us, a shared understanding of human emotion that transcends time. We recognize in Berthe's distant gaze a reflection of our own introspective moments.