Schrijvende jongen 1752 - 1823

Curator: This drawing, titled "Schrijvende jongen," which translates to "Writing Boy," is attributed to Johannes Cornelis Mertens and believed to have been created sometime between 1752 and 1823. It is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: What immediately strikes me is the delicate use of line and tone. The artist uses pencil on paper to achieve a remarkable softness, especially in the boy’s hair and the fabric of his clothes. The limited contrast gives the piece a serene, almost melancholic quality. Curator: Absolutely. Mertens was working in a time when there was an enormous expansion in literacy and what was considered ‘polite’ or cultured behavior. This drawing reflects broader social changes. The depiction of a boy engaged in writing hints at a growing emphasis on education. Writing wasn't just for clerks, anymore! Editor: It’s interesting how his pose conveys so much despite the static medium. He rests his head on his hand, seemingly lost in thought. There is a wonderful interplay between light and shadow that highlights his concentration. Look closely and you will see there are multiple points in this drawing to gaze on. Curator: And this intimacy resonates deeply with Romanticism, as if we have glimpsed a young student composing his own poetry perhaps, his intellectual growth taking shape before our very eyes. He is learning and this work wants us to learn along with him! Editor: Yes! A close look at the hand reveals an assured control with the medium. You know that Mertens had some skill to be able to confidently give weight and expression to this work, which otherwise could come across as very subtle. Curator: What's also significant is the growing prominence of childhood as a subject within the broader artistic culture. Not simply generic idealized youth, but representations of individual children and youths—"Writing Boy" seems caught somewhere between adolescence and adulthood. It shows a shifting focus in the 18th Century's artistic imagination. Editor: It's been enlightening to see the formal construction support historical context in this small, moving piece. The overall composition works well to enhance this piece. Curator: Indeed, it's a small gem. I am pleased that the Rijksmuseum allows it to be viewable to visitors, and hopefully this will grant us new insights for centuries to come!