Zittende oude man, naar rechts, het hoofd herhaald 1810

Albertus Brondgeest created this red chalk drawing, "Sitting Old Man, Facing Right, Head Repeated," around 1810. Brondgeest lived through the Batavian Republic and the Napoleonic Kingdom of Holland, a time of political and social upheaval, reflected in art that began to focus more on the individual. This drawing offers a poignant glimpse into aging and representation. The man’s weary posture and the doubled depiction of his face underscore a sense of introspection and perhaps the weight of time. The detailed rendering of his clothing, contrasted with the sketch-like quality of his face, brings forth questions of identity and social standing. Is Brondgeest commenting on the transient nature of physical appearance against the backdrop of societal roles? The emotional resonance of this piece lies in its vulnerability, inviting us to reflect on our own perceptions of aging and the stories etched into each face.