Portret van Bouke Ylstra 1977

Curator: Up next we have "Portret van Bouke Ylstra," a pencil drawing from 1977 by Rein Dool, residing here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's intriguing, a very casual likeness—almost feels like a quick caricature scribbled during a coffee break, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: It does have a certain spontaneity! Rein Dool was fascinated by capturing fleeting moments, that raw, unpolished essence. He wasn't after perfect realism, more like an echo of a person. Editor: I appreciate its unassuming quality. You know, portraiture is often seen as an elite practice, but works like this bring it down to earth, demystify the process. Whose stories were considered worthy of preservation has always been contentious. I wonder, who was Bouke Ylstra, and why did Dool choose to depict him in this seemingly ordinary moment? Curator: Unfortunately, details about the sitter are scarce. What interests me most is the intimacy of the artwork. The unfinished quality allows our imagination to wander. Look at the details of his outfit and features versus the bare, impressionistic background. It is suggestive, poetic almost. Editor: True, that very rawness carries a certain authenticity. Think of it as a counter-narrative to overly polished images we are often presented. Perhaps Ylstra represents the everyday worker, a glimpse into Holland in the 70s, far from glossy portrayals. Curator: Yes, and beyond that, this drawing highlights the very act of creation. We see a fellow artist at work—notice the drawing on the easel within the drawing! Editor: It certainly sparks a dialogue, making us question the definition of "portrait" itself and its function in contemporary art and society. A beautiful way to subvert artistic convention. Curator: Absolutely! Dool, in his subtle way, reminds us that beauty lies in the imperfect and that value can be found even in the ephemeral. Editor: It nudges us to look beyond idealized representation and appreciate the everyday individual.