Portret van Johannes Vollevens (II) 1720 - 1792

Aert Schouman created this drawing of Johannes Vollevens II with pen in grey ink and brush in grey wash. The tight composition with the oval portrait and the rectangular frame, immediately directs our focus to the face. Schouman masterfully employs a subtle grey wash to model the soft, fleshy features of Vollevens, creating depth and volume within the defined oval. The meticulous rendering of the wig, with its delicate curls, contrasts with the smoother treatment of the face, adding a layer of textural complexity. Consider how the artist uses the formal structure of the portrait to convey meaning. The oval format and the restrained palette speak to the conventions of portraiture during this time, yet the artist's attention to the material qualities of ink and wash pushes beyond mere representation. He invites us to consider how the artwork itself communicates ideas about identity, representation, and the very nature of seeing.