Oude man met baard 1760 - 1835

This is Andreas Bernardus de Quertenmont's etching of an old, bearded man. De Quertenmont, working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lived through a period of immense social upheaval, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, which questioned traditional hierarchies. The image invites us to consider representations of masculinity and aging, and how societal norms often prioritize youth and strength. The man's bowed head and shadowed face evoke a sense of introspection, perhaps melancholia. His image departs from idealized depictions, offering instead a raw, human portrayal marked by the passage of time. De Quertenmont's etching invites reflection on the dignity of aging and the value of experience, challenging us to see beyond superficial ideals and to find beauty and depth in the faces and stories of those who have lived long lives. It is a quiet, intimate piece that resonates with the universal themes of mortality, memory, and the human condition.