Fluitspelende naakte jongen c. 1843 - 1864

This ink drawing is by Barend Wijnveld and depicts a nude boy playing the flute. The drawing’s composition arranges the figure centrally, with stark lines defining the contours of his body. Wijnveld uses hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations and suggest form and depth. The lines are economic, yet they capture the figure's posture and the drape of the cloth. The classical subject matter links to the academic tradition of the 19th century. Yet, the sketch-like quality and the lack of idealization in the figure also hint at a departure from strict academic norms. The texture of the ink on paper adds a tactile dimension, emphasizing the materiality of the artwork. The formal qualities serve not only aesthetic purposes but also engage with broader cultural and philosophical ideas about representation and the human form.