Portrait of G. F. Watts, R. A., second plate c. 1894

Alphonse Legros captured this image of G. F. Watts through etching on a metal plate. The most striking feature here is the sitter's long beard, a symbol of wisdom and age stretching back to antiquity. Beards have carried profound cultural weight, from ancient philosophers to religious figures. Think of representations of Moses, his beard signifying divine authority. The beard in Legros's portrait evokes a lineage of knowledge and experience. Similarly, consider the tradition of the 'pogonophile'—one who loves beards—that was tied to wealth and prestige in ancient civilizations. Legros's etching taps into our collective memory, subconsciously associating Watts with these historical figures and values. There is something intrinsically powerful in how a simple attribute can convey so much, engaging viewers on a deep, emotional level. The beard, therefore, is more than just facial hair; it’s a visual shorthand that resonates across time.