Hoved af yngre mand, bøjet med højre 1625 - 1677

Heinrich Dittmers created this drawing of a young man's head, sometime in the mid-17th century, using black chalk heightened with white on blue paper. The choice of materials here is quite telling. Chalk is a relatively soft, forgiving medium, allowing for subtle gradations of tone. The blue paper adds an atmospheric depth, while the white chalk highlights bring the form forward. Dittmers masterfully employs these materials to create a study of light and shadow, capturing the delicate curve of the man's face and the soft texture of his hair. Consider that drawing, at this time, was not always considered an artwork in its own right, but a preparatory stage towards painting, printmaking, or sculpture. This drawing may have been a study for a larger composition, a way for Dittmers to work out the details of his subject's features. By focusing on the materiality and the labor involved in the process, we can appreciate the artistry and skill that went into its creation.