Mannenkop naar links, met baard 1885

Carl Bloch etched this bearded man's head in 1885. The beard, a symbol of wisdom and virility across centuries, anchors our perception. In ancient Mesopotamia, kings bore long beards, braided with gold, a sign of power and divine connection. Consider the beards in Byzantine mosaics, signifying saintly gravitas and authority. Yet, Bloch's man seems less a ruler, more a pensive sage. This motif transcends time, reappearing in countless forms. Think of Michelangelo's Moses, a formidable figure, his beard a torrent of divine inspiration. Why do artists return to this symbol? Perhaps it is our collective memory of the wise, paternal figure. The beard, as a signifier, evolves, yet its core association with experience and authority remains. It is a potent image, resonating deeply with our subconscious understanding of wisdom and age.