Moeder met twee kinderen c. 1858

Bastiaan de Poorter made this sketch of a mother with two children using graphite on paper. The immediacy of graphite on paper lends itself to capturing fleeting moments and spontaneous gestures. The artist's hand is evident in the quick, light strokes that define the figures. Notice how the sketch captures the tenderness of the mother-child relationship, with the mother's arms cradling her children. The sketch is a testament to the artist's skill in capturing the essence of human connection through simple means. By using graphite, a humble material, de Poorter elevates the everyday into something beautiful and meaningful. It reminds us that art doesn't always require elaborate materials or techniques to be powerful. Sometimes, the simplest gestures can convey the deepest emotions.