Portret van Jan Baert 1696

Hendrick van Beaumont rendered this portrait of Jan Baert using sanguine, a reddish chalk, on paper. Chalk is an interesting material, really just a compressed form of earth. In Beaumont's hands, it captures Baert in a moment of poised authority, as if the captain is momentarily pausing to acknowledge the viewer before turning his attention back to the ships in the harbor. Consider how the chalk lends itself to both fine detail, like the plumes in Baert’s hat, and the broader strokes used to suggest the rolling waves. Notice, too, how the use of a single color creates a sense of unity, binding the figure to his maritime environment. The choice of sanguine, reminiscent of blood or earth, subtly links Baert to both the violence of naval warfare and the territorial ambitions of his era. It’s a reminder that even a simple drawing carries layers of material and cultural significance, and that the most commonplace of materials can be imbued with meaning far beyond their humble origins.