Kinderkopje, naar rechts 1603 - 1678

Jacques Jordaens rendered this head of a child in chalk with sanguine accents. The profile view, a classical composition, allows us to focus on the universal archetype of innocence and potential. The child's gaze, though not directly visible, evokes a sense of contemplation, a motif echoed in Renaissance portraits of young nobles. Think of Raphael's cherubic figures, symbols of purity and divine love. This idealized form resurfaces throughout history, embodying hope. Yet, there’s a subtle melancholy in the child's expression, a fleeting awareness of the world's complexities. This emotional depth transcends mere representation, engaging our subconscious. It suggests a cyclical return of innocence tainted by experience, a theme that continues to haunt art.