Man met een doek in zijn handen Possibly 1870 - 1877

This drawing of a man with a cloth in his hands was made by Cornelis Springer. Notice how the light defines the figure through a dance of hatching and cross-hatching. Springer masterfully uses a range of values to build form and texture. The composition itself is a study in contrasts. The figure's static pose is juxtaposed against the dynamic lines that define his clothing. The light seems to sculpt the man, emphasizing the folds and creases in his garments. What is perhaps most intriguing is how Springer uses line to suggest mass and volume. Through the artful manipulation of light and shadow, Springer invites us to consider how the very act of representation can transform a simple sketch into a profound meditation on form and perception. Ultimately, the drawing invites us to contemplate the interplay between representation and reality.