Man met boek 1835 - 1880

Bastiaan de Poorter rendered "Man met boek" with pen in brown ink. The artwork is dominated by the figure of a man, standing with a book in hand, articulated through meticulous lines. The composition is structured around the verticality of the figure. De Poorter meticulously uses line and shadow to model the man's form, creating a sense of depth and presence. This approach to form reflects a structuralist perspective, emphasizing the underlying order and system within the artwork. The man's attire and the book he holds, signify knowledge and status. The materiality of the brown ink on paper brings a tactile quality to the work. De Poorter's technical precision invites us to consider the philosophical implications of representation. This work embodies not just a depiction of a man, but an exploration into the nature of identity, representation, and the cultural values attached to knowledge.