Staand jongetje met een mantel, van achteren gezien c. 1627 - 1655

Gerard ter Borch the Younger rendered this drawing of a boy with graphite, likely in the mid-17th century. Ter Borch was a master of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural flourishing in the Netherlands. The boy, seen from behind, gestures with his right arm outstretched, his left draped with a cloak. Consider how the artist's choice to depict the boy from the rear invites speculation about his identity and intentions. Is he leading, following, or simply pointing towards an unseen future? Ter Borch often depicted subjects from the Dutch middle class, subtly embedding messages about social status, gender roles, and moral values within his genre scenes and portraits. This drawing offers a tender glimpse into youth and ambition. Its open-ended narrative resonates across centuries.