Benen van een man before 1649

Editor: So, this is "Benen van een man," or "Legs of a Man," by Gerard ter Borch, dating back to before 1649. It’s a graphite drawing on paper at the Rijksmuseum. It's quite faint, almost ghostly, but I'm struck by the deliberate act of studying something as seemingly mundane as a pair of legs. What are your thoughts on this sketch? Curator: I’m particularly interested in the paper itself and the graphite used. The paper seems to be of a specific weight and texture, indicating its availability and cost during that period. It's crucial to examine the materiality of this drawing. Ter Borch's access to, and choice of, these materials reflects his social standing and artistic practices. Where would graphite come from at that time? Editor: I hadn't really thought about it in those terms! I guess graphite wasn't as readily available as it is today. Curator: Exactly! Graphite in the mid-17th century would have been relatively rare and valuable. Thinking about it, does the visible application of graphite -- its lightness of touch, the apparent erasures -- say anything about Ter Borch’s artistic process here? Was this a quick study, or something more involved? Editor: Well, I suppose if graphite was expensive, he might have been trying to be economical. It could suggest it was a practice piece or preliminary sketch, not intended for final display. Curator: Precisely. The very act of drawing, using these materials, positions Ter Borch within a specific economic and artistic landscape. And that limited availability could lead to certain decisions. How does that affect your reading of the work now? Editor: It makes me appreciate the drawing even more, understanding the constraints and choices the artist faced. Curator: Indeed. By focusing on the material conditions of its making, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork’s significance. Editor: I see that, considering materials really opens up a whole new layer of understanding about this artwork!