Portret van een heer met een bril, driekwart naar rechts 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen made this portrait of a gentleman with a pair of glasses using pen and ink on paper, but the real subject here is the creative process itself. Derkinderen was clearly interested in the relationship between rapid execution and close observation. The lines are quick and economical, yet manage to capture a convincing likeness. The blank paper is as important as the ink; it breathes life into the drawing, and gives a sense of immediacy. Drawing is, of course, one of the most ancient and fundamental skills in art and design. But in this case, it is clearly also intended as a means of thinking and exploring, capturing the nuances of the sitter's expression. Derkinderen brings the ethics of craft and the artist's hand to a medium associated with speed and reproducibility. Through the drawing, we are invited to appreciate the importance of both materials and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.