Zelfportret 1754

This self-portrait was made with graphite on paper by Cornelis van den Berg in 1754. Graphite, also known as plumbago, was a relatively new material at the time, only recently understood not to be a form of lead. The drawing’s appearance is entirely dependent on the qualities of this material: its softness, its ready transfer to paper, and its metallic sheen. To achieve this likeness, Van den Berg would have used graphite sticks of varying hardness, building up tone in layers to create a subtle illusion of depth. The use of graphite, though now common, was then quite distinct from older drawing methods like silverpoint or charcoal, which required more elaborate preparation. As graphite became more available and affordable, it democratized the practice of drawing, making it accessible to a broader range of artists. Looking at this self-portrait, we can appreciate not only Van den Berg’s skill, but also the social history embedded in the very materials of art.