Sitting Boy 1644 - 1680

Jan van Noordt created "Sitting Boy" using black chalk, heightened with white, around the mid-17th century. Noordt was working in a time when the Dutch Republic was solidifying itself as a major power in Europe, but also defining new social and political structures. Portraits, and the artists that made them, became very popular as a signifier of identity, a burgeoning sense of self. In this light, the boy captured in this drawing has a casual elegance. His gaze is directed away from the viewer. His gesture, his hand propping up his head, suggests he is lost in thought, daydreaming. He is at ease in a way that communicates an idea about masculinity that isn’t performative, but instead quietly confident. The loose, chalky lines of the drawing add to the relaxed affect. It's as if we've caught a glimpse of him unawares, making the moment all the more intimate. The emotional depth present within the piece transcends time, allowing viewers today to relate to the subject on a personal level.