Charles Rochussen's 'Studie van een militair en een oude man' is a drawing of a military man and an old man. The study gives insight into the artist's creative process, highlighting his skill in capturing the human form and expression through the immediacy of drawing. Lines define the figures and their garments, with shading creating depth and volume. The work reflects a long tradition of academic artistic training. Rochussen's approach to capturing the likeness and character of the figures through precise lines and subtle shading, speaks to the broader social context of art production. By studying the work, we can reflect on the relationship between artistic creation and social representation, challenging the traditional divide between fine art and the wider sphere of cultural production.