Pijprokende man c. 1828 - 1897

Adrianus Eversen made this drawing of a pipe-smoking man sometime in the 19th century, likely using graphite pencil on paper. The artist used simple strokes and shading to capture the man's form, attire, and the act of smoking. The lines are economic, with the artist quickly capturing the essence of the subject. It is a technique that emphasizes spontaneity and directness, and a high level of control with a readily available and relatively inexpensive material. Eversen’s work is rooted in the tradition of sketching, which has its own kind of labor – the quick study, the fleeting moment captured. A more finished painting would have taken more time, and required different skills. The drawing has a kind of immediacy that encourages us to consider the working life, and the relaxation of the sitter, caught at a moment of ease. Paying attention to the materials and processes provides insight into the artist’s intention, blurring the lines between the perceived hierarchy of fine art and craft.