Fotoreproductie van een getekend ruiterportret van Jan Filips Eugeen van Merode als veldmaarschalk, door Jacob van Schuppen before 1908

This is a photo reproduction by Benjamin Charlé of a drawn equestrian portrait of Jan Filips Eugeen van Merode, rendered without color. The original artist, Jacob van Schuppen, uses a limited palette to describe the textures of the fabric, the sheen of the horse’s coat, and the cool metal of the weapons. It's like artmaking is a process of translation. Focusing on the lower right, notice how the fallen figure is composed of quick, dark strokes, almost scribbles. These contrast with the more detailed rendering of the rider, emphasizing his importance. Yet, even in the rider, the lines remain visible, the textures loose and open, suggesting a vitality and energy in the process of artmaking. Thinking about other artists in conversation with this piece, I’m reminded of Franz Kline's black and white abstractions, with their bold, gestural marks, or maybe Cy Twombly's scribbled drawings. This piece embraces the messy, uncertain nature of mark-making, celebrating ambiguity and multiple interpretations.