Zingende man met grote hoed (het Gehoor) 1679 - 1704

Cornelis Dusart created this print, Zingende man met grote hoed, or Singing Man with a Large Hat, using etching and engraving. Encapsulated within a circle, the figure's sharp profile and the hat’s fluid lines dominate our attention. Dusart masterfully employs chiaroscuro, the dramatic contrast between light and dark, to accentuate the man's features and the textures of his attire. Consider how the circular frame both confines and focuses our gaze. It's reminiscent of early portraiture conventions, yet the man's exaggerated features disrupt any sense of classical harmony. His open mouth and the title suggest sound, adding another dimension to our perception. Dusart seems to be challenging the established norms of representation by amplifying the ordinary. Meaning is found not just in what is depicted but in how it is depicted.