Staande man 1710 - 1772

Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot rendered this drawing, 'Staaande man', using sanguine chalk to capture the figure's essence. The drawing embodies the Rococo period through its gentle curves and elegant posture. Notice how the artist uses a single color to describe form and texture. Van Reysschoot employs hatching and cross-hatching techniques to model the figure. The subtle gradations create a soft three-dimensionality, while the sketch-like quality imbues the portrait with a sense of immediacy. The face, rendered with delicate lines, conveys an air of aristocratic refinement. The curls of the wig and the folds of the coat are defined with equal attention. The interplay between light and shadow enhances the subject's presence. The texture of the chalk on paper, combined with the sitter's composed demeanor, creates an engaging study. The formal qualities of the artwork invite us to explore its historical and cultural context, appreciating how the artist captured the spirit of his time through careful observation and skillful execution.