Portret van een jonge man, in ovaal 1670 - 1704

Cornelis Dusart made this portrait of a young man, sometime in the late 17th century, using pen and brown ink, brush and brown and gray wash, over graphite, on paper. Dusart, who was a student of Adriaen van Ostade, was known for his detailed drawings. Here, the artist makes use of a variety of strokes, cross-hatching, and layered washes, to create the illusion of depth and texture. The sepia tones give this portrait an antique quality, but the naturalism of the depiction is striking. Notice the way Dusart captures the soft curls of the sitter's wig, or the folds of his drapery. These elements are not just surface appearances. Wigs and drapery were crucial elements of social performance during this time, and were expensive to produce and maintain, so the sitter is likely from the upper class. Dusart's skilled rendering is more than just a technical display; it's a careful record of class status and the material culture of the Dutch Golden Age.