Portret van een oudere Javaan 1874 - 1925

This is Jan Veth’s drawing of an older Javanese man, made with graphite on paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist has used the qualities of graphite to render the man’s likeness. Veth coaxes a surprising range of values out of a humble pencil. By layering lines, he suggests the texture of skin and cloth, capturing the weight of the man’s gaze. The artist's hand is evident in the meticulous cross-hatching and the way the graphite is applied to create a sense of depth and volume. Consider the social context. Veth was Dutch, portraying a man from Java, then part of the Dutch East Indies. This was a period of colonial rule, and the act of drawing itself reflects a power dynamic. The drawing reduces a person to a set of lines, but it also suggests respect for the man’s dignity and individuality. Ultimately, this work reminds us that even a simple material like graphite can be used to create a powerful and nuanced portrait, raising questions about labor, identity, and the colonial gaze.