Hoofd van een oude man, en profil naar rechts 1722 - 1799

This is "Head of an Old Man, in Profile to the Right", made with red chalk by Jan Anton Garemyn. Observe how the subject’s gaze is directed downwards. This motif, seen across centuries, carries profound psychological weight, suggesting introspection, humility, or even sorrow. We find echoes of this gesture in countless depictions of saints and philosophers. The downcast eyes became a potent symbol of inner contemplation and a turning away from worldly concerns. Consider how this posture, with the head bowed, recurs in depictions of mourning or repentance, embodying deep emotional states. Think of Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross or penitent figures in Renaissance paintings. This consistent visual language connects us to shared human experiences of grief and introspection, and reveals the cyclical return and reinterpretation of such potent symbols across time.