Staande jongen in wapenrusting 1646 - 1672

Adriaen van de Velde rendered this drawing of a standing boy in armour with pen in red chalk around the mid-17th century. The artwork is dominated by a warm, reddish-brown hue, a consequence of the red chalk medium. This monochromatic palette invites a focused observation of form and line. The figure is meticulously outlined with a combination of fine and bold strokes, giving shape to the armour and the soft contours of the boy's face. Note how van de Velde uses hatching and cross-hatching to create volume and shadow, particularly evident in the folds of the clothing and the cast shadow at the base. The lines are not merely descriptive; they are also expressive, suggesting texture and weight. The composition leads us to consider the interplay between representation and abstraction. While the figure is clearly representational, the reductive color palette and emphasis on form create a level of abstraction. The drawing prompts us to question how van de Velde uses these formal elements to explore ideas about identity, representation, and the artistic process itself.