Studie van een vrouwenhoofd c. 1660

This small drawing, a study of a woman's head, was made by Moses ter Borch, likely using graphite on paper. The artist's hand is evident in the hatching and delicate shading that define the planes of the face and the soft folds of the headscarf. Graphite, as a material, lends itself to this kind of subtle modulation. Think of the way a pencil moves across the textured surface of paper, leaving behind a trail of the artist's intentions. The drawing feels intimate and immediate, and invites us to consider the social context in which it was created. It reminds us that even seemingly simple sketches are the result of skillful labor. Ter Borch’s choice of such an everyday material is a reminder that all art-making is rooted in material practices, and that it challenges the traditional hierarchy separating fine art from craft.