Kop van man met baard 1781 - 1791

John B. Skippe created this print, "Head of a Bearded Man," using chiaroscuro woodcut, a technique popular in the 18th century for its dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. Skippe lived during the Enlightenment, an era that prized reason and individualism, yet his art often harked back to earlier periods. The very act of creating woodcuts was a conscious choice to revive older artistic traditions. This head is strongly reminiscent of depictions of philosophers and religious figures from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Consider how the man’s downcast gaze and flowing beard evoke a sense of gravitas and introspection. The choice of an older male figure, with his beard a signifier of wisdom and experience, reflects societal norms that privileged age and masculinity. While the Enlightenment was beginning to challenge some hierarchies, traditional notions of authority and knowledge remained. This print invites us to reflect on the historical construction of masculinity and wisdom and how these ideals are visually represented.