Head of a Bearded Man in Profile to Left 1700 - 1737

François Le Moyne rendered this head of a bearded man in profile using chalk, sometime in the early 18th century. Le Moyne lived during the reign of Louis XV, a time when French society was highly stratified, and artistic patronage was centered around the court and aristocracy. Although we don't know the identity of this man, portraiture of this era was most often reserved for the elite. Consider what it meant to be a man during this era; ideas of masculinity were tied to social status, power, and lineage. Beards, like the one we see here, were markers of virility, wisdom, and maturity. Le Moyne’s soft handling of the chalk gives the image a certain warmth. The sitter seems alive, yet he remains an anonymous figure from the past. Le Moyne's drawing invites us to reflect on the historical construction of masculinity, and how it continues to shape identities today. It's a potent reminder that even seemingly timeless images are products of particular social and cultural forces.