Portret van Christiaan Willem Marinus Klijn 1853

Moritz Calisch created this pencil drawing, "Portret van Christiaan Willem Marinus Klijn," which now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The portrait captivates with its delicate balance of light and shadow, achieved through subtle gradations of graphite. The subject's gaze is direct and engaging, framed by soft, diffused lines that model his face. The artist's touch is evident in the meticulous rendering of textures, from the smooth skin to the fabric of his coat, each conveyed through variations in line density and direction. Consider how the artist creates a sense of depth and volume using only pencil. This formal constraint forces us to confront the essence of representation: the translation of three-dimensional form onto a two-dimensional plane. Calisch's drawing exemplifies how line and tone can articulate not just the likeness of a person but also the subtle nuances of character.