Jongenshoofd before 1660

This is "Jongenshoofd", or "Head of a Boy," made by Moses ter Borch in the 17th century. It's rendered with red chalk, a medium prized for its soft, granular texture. Look closely, and you'll see how Ter Borch used the chalk to create subtle variations in tone, giving the boy's face a sense of volume and life. The very act of drawing is laid bare here. The marks are not blended away, but left visible, revealing the artist's process. The choice of red chalk is significant. Unlike the precision of ink or the richness of oil paint, red chalk offered a directness and immediacy. It was a medium favored for preparatory sketches, allowing artists to quickly capture their initial ideas. In its own way, this drawing embodies the spirit of craft, prioritizing the handmade and the personal. It reminds us that even the most refined works of art are often rooted in the humble act of mark-making.