Oude man met baard en muts 1784 - 1839

Curator: Let’s turn our attention now to Cornelia Scheffer-Lamme's drawing, "Oude man met baard en muts," created sometime between 1784 and 1839 using pencil. Editor: My first impression is its intensity, an almost tangible sense of loneliness captured in those lines. The texture of the beard practically vibrates. Curator: It's quite interesting how she manages to create such depth using only pencil strokes. We know Cornelia Scheffer-Lamme came from an artistic family, and it is likely the availability of materials and her position as daughter of Ary Lamme afforded her both the time and the training required for this type of detailed work. Editor: Absolutely. I see a clear interplay of light and shadow defining the man’s features—the hat casting a darkness on his brow that emphasizes the solemn expression. There's a strategic contrast happening that I can't help but admire. Curator: And if we think about the paper itself, likely a mass-produced sheet from the time, it creates a stark contrast with the handcrafted nature of the drawing. Scheffer-Lamme transforms this ordinary material through her skilled hand, creating something unique, laden with artistic value. Editor: I'm fascinated by the mark-making—the confident hatching building volume and conveying form. Those repeated strokes, considered independently, contribute to a broader, visually cohesive aesthetic. Curator: Considering Scheffer-Lamme’s societal position and the access she had, this work might also be understood as an exploration into societal representations of masculinity and aging. Editor: Yes, I agree, yet formalistically, it operates successfully on a purely visual level as well. The economy of the pencil itself is remarkable; the piece holds a certain degree of abstraction, bordering realism. Curator: Ultimately, viewing “Oude man met baard en muts" gives us insights not only into Cornelia Scheffer-Lamme's technique but also prompts broader reflection on artistic labor. Editor: For me, it’s this skillful balance between structure and expressiveness that keeps drawing my eye—a simple portrait imbued with the human condition.