Portret van de schilder Jan Toorop Possibly 1900 - 1923

This portrait of the painter Jan Toorop was sketched by Frederik van Eeden, probably in one sitting. The beauty of this piece really lies in its simplicity, doesn’t it? It’s all lines and angles, a light touch, as if Van Eeden wants to capture Toorop’s essence without trapping him. Look at the way the hat sits, those soft curves contrasting with the sharp lines of the beard. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s a man who contains multitudes, who’s both soft and sharp.” The sketch feels like a conversation, doesn’t it? A little like those portraits by Manet, they share a certain intimacy. Both artists seem to be sussing out the person in front of them, trying to capture something beyond just likeness. It's like artmaking is a kind of friendship. It’s not about perfection, but about connection.