Portret van een zittende lezende heer 1874 - 1925

This sketch of a seated, reading gentleman was made by Jan Veth using graphite on paper. A humble pairing of materials, and a traditional one. Yet, it is the very simplicity of this method that grants the portrait its power. The use of graphite allows Veth to build up tone through a labor-intensive layering of marks. Look closely at the subtle gradations of shading around the face; you can sense Veth’s hand at work, carefully modeling the form. The texture of the paper also plays a role, its slight tooth catching the graphite and creating a soft, almost atmospheric effect. The choice of such direct materials speaks to a desire for authenticity, a turn away from the ostentation of academic painting. This reflects a broader shift in artistic values at the time, with a renewed appreciation for the unpretentious beauty of everyday life, and a focus on the value of labor, of art as the product of skilled work.