Staande heer met een hand aan het hoofd 1722 - 1784

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this intriguing sketch, "Standing Gentleman with a Hand to His Head," attributed to Simon Fokke, dating somewhere between 1722 and 1784. It’s currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Ah, yes! He looks like he's forgotten where he parked his carriage, doesn't he? I mean, there's a definite 'where did I leave it?' vibe emanating from this fellow. Curator: Perhaps. The pose, however, could suggest a myriad of things – contemplation, shading his eyes, or even a touch of melancholia which was fashionable at that time. It is, of course, rendered with a simple pencil on paper, in a manner we might call portraiture. Editor: Or maybe he’s just shielding his eyes from the blinding optimism of the Enlightenment! All that reason can be quite harsh on the eyes, darling. But the simplicity – you’re right – it’s captivating. It feels immediate, a glimpse into Fokke’s studio. Curator: Precisely! Drawings like this often served as preparatory sketches. We see a glimpse into the artistic process, the way the artist considers line and form, as the foundations of social and political imagery of the day, which are powerful forces for good or evil, you know? Editor: Absolutely. And there's a delightful informality. He doesn't seem overly concerned with grand gestures or projecting power like so many portraits of that era. Makes you wonder what he’s really thinking, hidden there behind his hand and fancy hat. Is it philosophical pondering, or simply trying to remember the name of that delightful pastry he had last Tuesday? Curator: Well, this speaks to the function of portraiture itself – was it ever truly meant to be revealing or, primarily, to perform a specific function within societal and power structures? The image is definitely light hearted though; its small size is refreshing. Editor: You know, I think it's the slight awkwardness that gets me. He's elegant, sure, but there's this underlying sense that he might trip over his buckled shoes at any moment! I love that imperfection. Curator: I think seeing that lack of pomp speaks volumes. We’ve certainly peeled back a few layers on our standing gentleman today! Editor: Yes. Sometimes it's the quick, off-the-cuff sketches that resonate most. Art doesn't always have to shout. Sometimes a gentle whisper is enough.