Man Kneeling, Facing Right 1630 - 1635

Editor: This is Jacob Jordaens' "Man Kneeling, Facing Right," created between 1630 and 1635, a charcoal drawing with delicate coloring. There's something about the textures he’s captured that I find really compelling. What draws your eye in this piece? Curator: I am particularly interested in how the very act of kneeling is presented through the materials and labor involved in creating the drawing. Jordaens employs charcoal, a readily available material, to depict what could be seen as humble subservience, perhaps for repentance or for servitude. Is he reflecting social hierarchies through the material itself? The rough nature of charcoal juxtaposes what must have been, even as study, intensive and careful work. Editor: That’s a fascinating point. I hadn't considered how the choice of charcoal influences our understanding of the subject. The folds of the fabric look incredibly detailed, even luxurious for a "humble" pose, suggesting his work perhaps undermines that narrative? Curator: Exactly! This tension is further heightened when we think about Jordaens' access to different materials. Was he consciously making a statement about the man's position through the medium he selected, considering cost, pigment, or accessibility? The 'luxury' you note is carefully applied and deliberately rendered. What do the materials communicate about who had access to artistry and representation, versus who did not? The drawing may show him to be subservient but well-appointed in expensive garb. Editor: That really changes how I see this piece! It is almost as though the choice of medium and the details emphasize power and access rather than the simple act of kneeling. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! Focusing on the 'how' and 'why' of its making allows us to unearth complex societal dynamics inherent to that period. Material matters.