De "stoere" dominé (lid der S.D.A.P.) Possibly 1923 - 1924

Editor: This is a pencil drawing entitled "De \"stoere\" dominé (lid der S.D.A.P.)" – roughly translated, "The \"tough\" parson (member of the S.D.A.P.)" by Erich Wichmann, likely from 1923-1924. It's a stark profile, very shadowy. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: For me, it's the process and materials themselves that speak volumes. It's not just a portrait, but a graphite sketch, likely quickly rendered, which offers an immediate, almost journalistic feel. Wichmann used humble materials—paper and graphite—to depict a member of the S.D.A.P., the Dutch social democratic party. Do you think this choice of material affects how we perceive the subject's status or role? Editor: I do. The raw quality diminishes the sitter's perceived importance, potentially critiquing the establishment or highlighting a certain kind of everyman quality to this particular political affiliation. Curator: Precisely. And considering the political climate of the 1920s, the accessibility of the medium counters the traditional modes of portraiture often used to immortalize figures of power. Wichmann likely wanted to create commentary. Look at the labor: rapid marks on cheap paper suggest accessible imagery circulated among a broader public beyond the elite art world. What impact do you think that accessible approach would have at the time? Editor: That would democratize representation, engaging directly with the material realities of the viewer. It suggests social realism through both subject and method, not just through aesthetics. Curator: Exactly! By using materials accessible to all, the art is no longer confined to the elite but is, in its own way, a form of social engagement and critique. He challenges not only the status of the subject but also traditional expectations about what "high art" should be made of. Editor: I see it now. The humbleness isn't a deficiency, it's the statement. Thanks, that’s fascinating to consider how materials impact the message itself!