Regardant
Regardant. A portrait looking back over the subject's shoulder. The term comes from heraldry, where it most often describes animals viewed from the side with head twisted looking towards their tail. However, one of the most famous portraits of Columbus is a regardant pose looking back over his cape. Whether the full face is seen depends upon the angle of the viewers perspective. See heraldry.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON