Sitting Boy with Flute 1665

Cornelis Saftleven sketched this drawing of a boy with a flute using graphite on paper. Saftleven has created soft tonalities and fine lines through the physical application of graphite to paper. Notice how the varying pressure and controlled movements of the artist's hand have rendered the textures of the boy's clothing. The artist has also demonstrated a good understanding of the properties of the medium. The tooth of the paper allows for the build-up of graphite particles, creating darker areas, while lighter areas are achieved by applying less pressure and allowing the white of the paper to show through. The artist used a common and easily accessible material to portray the boy, whose social status is less clear. Saftleven has imbued a simple drawing with the feeling of the everyday. In doing so, he challenges traditional notions of art as the product of trained skill, blurring the boundaries between casual drawing and fine art.