Portret van Jurraan Buttner bij een komfoor 1754 - 1809

Izaak Jansz. de Wit created this portrait of Jurraan Buttner using pen in brown on paper. The composition is immediately striking for its masterful use of line and hatching to render a detailed scene with an almost monochromatic palette. De Wit’s technical skill brings a sense of depth and texture to what could have been a flat, unremarkable portrait. Look closely at how the artist uses dense, cross-hatched lines to define shadows and volumes, especially on Buttner’s face and clothing. The diagonal hatching on the tablecloth is particularly clever, creating an illusion of perspective and materiality, while the swirling lines around the fur hat contrast with the angularity of the books, creating visual interest. The very choice of a sepia-toned ink lends an air of scholarly antiquity, which aligns well with the subject’s contemplative posture and the presence of books and the komfoor. The drawing offers a commentary on the subject’s intellectual or professional identity, inviting endless re-interpretations based on its intricate, formal elements.