Portret van een man met kort golvend haar 1865 - 1913

Bramine Hubrecht made this drawing of a man with short wavy hair using graphite on paper. The physical properties of these materials – the relative hardness of the graphite, the texture of the paper – allowed Hubrecht to build up tone and shadow with precise control. Consider the act of drawing itself. It is a relatively immediate process, but one that still requires intense concentration, and a refined, cultivated skill. In this regard, drawing has a more intimate quality than other artistic techniques such as painting, or sculpture. The artist is literally in touch with the work. We can infer a sense of the artist's hand and mind working in unison, capturing the likeness of the sitter. Ultimately, it’s the simplicity of the materials combined with Hubrecht's skillful technique that gives this drawing its power, and the work involved in its production process. This challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.