Kop van een man 1890 - 1946

Here we see Cornelis Vreedenburgh’s ‘Head of a Man,’ a drawing rendered with graphite on paper. The initial impression is one of somber reflection, evoked by the subject’s downward gaze and the soft gradations of light and shadow. Vreedenburgh’s use of line is particularly striking; the dense, almost chaotic strokes around the head contrast with the smoother, more deliberate shading that defines the face. This interplay creates a sense of depth, yet also suggests a certain psychological tension. We might read this formal contrast as a reflection of the internal complexities of the sitter, whose thoughts appear to be turned inward. Consider, too, the negative space around the figure. The emptiness emphasizes the subject's isolation and introspection. This is a study in contrasts, where formal elements converge to convey a rich sense of inner life.