Botticelli figuur uit de Primavera en een Madonna 1865 - 1936

Nicolaas van der Waay made this drawing of Botticelli figures with pencil on paper. The composition is divided into two distinct registers, each containing a head in profile, one looking up and the other down. The figures contrast, not just in gaze but in emotional tone. Van der Waay employs delicate lines and subtle gradations of tone to capture the softness and ethereal quality reminiscent of Renaissance art. The upper figure’s upturned gaze is rendered with a lighter touch, evoking a sense of aspiration. Conversely, the Madonna below is drawn with heavier lines and a more pronounced chiaroscuro effect, instilling a feeling of solemnity. These formal choices reflect a dialogue with the historical and cultural contexts of the Renaissance, engaging with its established meanings and aesthetic values. The drawing doesn't merely replicate but interprets, re-contextualizing these iconic images through the personal lens of the artist.