De linkerhand van Karel van Mallery op zijn mantel 1627 - 1691

Editor: This drawing, "De linkerhand van Karel van Mallery op zijn mantel," or "The left hand of Karel van Mallery on his mantle," dates to between 1627 and 1691. It’s an anonymous pencil drawing on paper, here in the Rijksmuseum. The delicate lines make the hand seem very lifelike. How would you interpret this piece, focusing on its visual elements? Curator: The success of this work lies precisely in the effective deployment of line and the contrast it creates. Observe the artist's deft use of hatching and cross-hatching to delineate the form of the hand and mantle. The varying densities of these lines convincingly render volume and texture. Do you notice how the subtle shifts in pressure create areas of light and shadow? Editor: Yes, I see how the density changes to give it volume. The darker areas really do create a sense of depth, especially around the fingers and the folds of the mantle. Curator: Indeed. It's through this careful manipulation of tone, achieved solely through the density and direction of the pencil strokes, that the artist creates a compelling illusion of three-dimensionality. The composition, too, is notable for its almost abstract quality. It isolates a detail, inviting us to contemplate the inherent beauty of form. Note also the inscription on the upper right. Editor: I hadn't focused on that, actually. What is its function here? Curator: It draws the eye, breaking up what could be merely an exercise in observation. It is a counterpoint, introducing a textural element against the shading of the study. What has struck you most profoundly about this drawing? Editor: I'm fascinated by the fact that so much detail and texture can be achieved with just pencil and paper, and I’ll be sure to look for inscriptions from now on! Curator: An excellent point; a tribute to the skill of the artist, using only the barest of means to make us see form in new ways.