Kop van Christus 1884

Nicolaas van der Waay drew this head of Christ sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, using graphite on paper. The artist's hand is evident in the texture of the drawing. You can see the marks and smudges left by the graphite pencil as it moved across the page. The delicate lines suggest that the artist used a soft pencil, which allowed him to create subtle gradations of tone. The paper itself seems to be of a fairly low quality, with a rough texture that adds to the overall sense of immediacy and rawness. It's interesting to consider the role of materials in creating this image. Graphite and paper are both relatively inexpensive and widely available, making drawing an accessible medium for artists of all backgrounds. However, the skill required to create a compelling image like this is considerable. Van der Waay’s study reminds us of the power of drawing as a medium for conveying complex ideas and emotions.