Portrait of an unknown man 1798

Joachim Smith painted this "Portrait of an Unknown Man" with oil on ivory. The sitter, with his neatly arranged cravat and sober attire, embodies the restraint valued by the bourgeoisie. Look closely and you’ll notice the man is in profile, a convention dating back to ancient Roman portraiture. This pose, once reserved for emperors on coins, signified power and authority. The profile view, particularly popular during the Renaissance, served to immortalize the sitter, but also to conceal, presenting only one aspect of their character. The use of profile has taken many forms over time, from royal effigies to criminal mugshots. It has been used to project strength but also to dehumanize. As you contemplate this man’s gaze, consider the masks we all wear and the complex dance between revelation and concealment.