Hoofd en schouder met opgeheven arm 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen made this drawing, "Head and Shoulder with Raised Arm," with graphite on paper. Here, the hand-drawn quality becomes particularly salient. The artist has rendered the human form using the simplest of means. The marks are tentative, almost a kind of searching after the final form, with lines that delicately describe the subject. There is a sense of immediacy to the work, reflecting Derkinderen's hand and his creative process. We can appreciate the cultural significance of the drawing through the lens of labor and craftsmanship. The act of drawing is a form of skilled labor. It requires training, practice, and an understanding of materials and techniques. Derkinderen's mastery of drawing is evident in the fluidity and confidence of his lines, demonstrating the cultural value of art. By recognizing the craftsmanship inherent in drawing, we can challenge the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, acknowledging the importance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of the work.