Lezende man c. 1836 - 1838

Curator: This pencil drawing, dating from around 1836 to 1838, is titled "Lezende man" – "Reading Man." It’s held here at the Rijksmuseum. I see you looking at him, what’s catching your eye? Editor: He seems utterly engrossed...or is he utterly distracted? I mean, that pitcher is pouring directly onto his plate! It's unsettling but fascinating, the way the artist uses a very detailed cross-hatching and smudging, that almost overwhelms the scene, doesn't it? Curator: It does. What’s also key is how the light, in the drawing’s composition, seems to direct the viewer’s attention from the bottle on the left right across the table to his face. A real journey for the eye. And it emphasizes this sense of precarious balance - of intellect versus...well, the gut? The sheer volume of liquid he's pouring might reflect an excess of passion or consumption. Editor: Yes, his whole posture is just incredible; hunched over the book, one hand poised almost defensively. Then, the way the spectacles magnify his eyes...the image suggests he might be getting sustenance from a totally unexpected place. The title doesn’t quite align with his actions, does it? Or does it highlight that books also provide us with something necessary? Curator: I like that—he's physically nourished while trying to be intellectually fulfilled... perhaps, and not necessarily succeeding. This tension that comes from this genre scene or perhaps caricature, suggests that he might actually be taking a break from study to refresh and rejuvenate. Editor: The artist invites a multitude of readings, doesn't it? From commenting on class and culture to exploring inner versus outer worlds, that dichotomy is emphasized with the window which you cannot see but that creates the atmosphere surrounding him. All expressed through an expert command of tonal variations and line work. Curator: Absolutely, I appreciate how you noted that. He’s really brought an interiority through seemingly basic art supplies! His glasses don't allow him to see, only see what he wants and how he wants. A beautiful, reflective paradox! Editor: It's definitely stuck in my mind—that messy, complex rendering is so revealing. What at first seems amusing actually contains profound depths.