Portret van Alexander, prins der Nederlanden 1870 - 1949

This small portrait of Alexander, Prince of the Netherlands, is a reminder that the most direct route isn’t always the most interesting. It’s an engraving, so it’s all about line, but what I notice is how much detail is packed into such a small space. Look at the way the lines create shading around his face, building up the sense of form and volume. The artist hasn’t tried to hide the process; you can really see each individual mark, like when you look closely at a Chuck Close painting. There’s something almost obsessive about the way the lines are layered, creating this incredibly detailed portrait. It reminds me of those old master drawings, like the ones by Dürer, where every hair seems to be individually rendered. It’s not just about capturing a likeness; it’s about the pleasure of the process itself. Art, after all, is an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.