Portret van de schilder Jan Hendrik Verheijen 1820 - 1895

Gijsbertus Craeyvanger rendered this diminutive portrait of the painter Jan Hendrik Verheijen in graphite on paper. It is a traditional medium, but here used with great efficiency. The artist’s technique is immediately apparent: close hatched lines define the contours of the sitter’s profile and the bold shape of his top hat. The tooth of the paper lends a granular texture, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow. Craeyvanger focuses on Verheijen's face and clothing, leaving the background almost completely bare. The marks of the graphite are not blended, but left raw, direct, and unpretentious. The modest scale and medium reflect the practicalities of a working artist's life, more a sketch than a finished piece. What could be dismissed as a preliminary work provides a more intimate glimpse into the artistic process. It reminds us that even the most polished artwork begins with an exploratory gesture, a direct connection between hand, tool, and surface.