Portret van R.J. Boers 1894 - 1919

This is an anonymous portrait made with pencil on paper. Looking at this drawing, you can see the artist working through the problem of the face. It’s all about the angles, the set of the jaw, the little glint of light on the glasses. I can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the page, trying to catch the likeness of Mr. Boers. What was it like to sit for a portrait back then? Did he fidget? I wonder about the artist, too, maybe someone just learning their craft, trying to capture something real and true. The paper is worn, a little stained—it has a history, you know? Those little imperfections are what make it interesting. And those tiny, repeated marks, that’s where the magic is, right? It's an act of translation, isn't it? From life to line, from person to portrait. And now, from portrait to us.