Portrait of Wilhelm de Vos 

Anthony van Dyck rendered this Portrait of Wilhelm de Vos in graphite. The drawing's power lies in its structural clarity, achieved through carefully modulated lines that define form and shadow. Notice how van Dyck masterfully uses line weight to create depth. Thicker lines articulate the contours of de Vos's face and clothing, grounding the figure in space, while finer lines capture the delicate nuances of his hair and beard. This contrast in line work invites the viewer's eye to move across the composition, from the vividly rendered face to the more softly defined body, creating a dynamic visual experience. The interplay between light and shadow, achieved through subtle gradations of graphite, further enhances the sense of volume and texture. The even distribution of tone, without strong value contrast, allows the artist to model the forms gradually and create a unified visual experience. This reflects a Baroque sensibility concerned with establishing a rapport between the viewer and the image.