Portret van een onbekende zittende man 1838 - 1887

This is a portrait of an unknown man, drawn by Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch in the mid-19th century. It’s made with graphite on paper – humble materials, easily accessible, and capable of capturing fine detail. Notice the grid lightly sketched beneath the portrait. This suggests a methodical process, perhaps even a transfer from another image. The artist is using a technique that can be learned and repeated. The soft gray tones of the graphite create subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving form to the man’s face and clothing. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the image. It is a good example of the kind of mid-19th century, middle class portraiture, rendered for a growing market of people who wanted to memorialize their likeness. Ultimately, the drawing reminds us that even seemingly simple materials can be used to create a lasting image. The meaning of this artwork lies not only in its subject, but also in the artist's skillful manipulation of materials and techniques.