Portret van Clément Loret 1883

Louis Joseph Greuse created this delicate portrait of Clément Loret in etching. A prominent feature is Loret's mustache, a symbol of masculinity and status in the late 19th century, not unlike the beards of ancient philosophers. We find similar facial hair in portraits across different eras, each carrying its own cultural weight. Think of the regal beards of Assyrian kings, symbols of power and divine mandate, or the carefully groomed mustaches of Renaissance nobility, emblems of refinement and intellect. The mustache, then, transcends time, reappearing in different contexts with shifting meanings. It evokes a connection to past notions of authority, wisdom, and virility, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It is a symbol continuously resurfacing and evolving.