Portretstudies voor het (onvoltooide) schilderij van de Nederlandse rechtbank in Londen, juni 1942: Mr D.J. Sannes. Possibly 1942 - 1946

Anton Abraham van Anrooy created this sketch, "Portretstudies voor het (onvoltooide) schilderij van de Nederlandse rechtbank in Londen, juni 1942: Mr D.J. Sannes," using graphite. The drawing emerged during the tumultuous period of World War II, amidst the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Anrooy was commissioned to paint the Dutch court in London, and these studies offer a glimpse into that project. But consider the weight of such a commission during wartime. It's a portrait of power, of law, but also of a government in exile, wrestling with its identity and authority. This sketch provides an intimate look at Mr. D.J. Sannes, one of the judges. It's a study of a man, but also a study of the role of justice in times of crisis. We can see not only the features of a man, but also sense the burden of responsibility. Through these unfinished lines, Anrooy captures a moment of history, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of identity, justice, and representation in the face of profound adversity.