Mijn moeder before 1944

Editor: We’re looking at Pieter Willem van Baarsel’s pencil drawing, "Mijn Moeder," which translates to "My Mother," created sometime before 1944. It's currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The drawing portrays a profile view of an older woman; what strikes me is the delicate yet assured linework capturing the textures of her skin and hair. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: The essence of this work resides in its formal elements: the stark linearity achieved through the pencil medium, juxtaposed against the softness implied by the subject matter. Notice how Van Baarsel confines the form within a defined rectangular border, further emphasizing the two-dimensional nature of the drawing. Consider how the artist utilizes hatching and cross-hatching to build form and volume in the subject's face and hair. The deliberate, almost clinical, approach invites analysis rather than emotional engagement. Do you see any areas where the artist deviates from strict realism? Editor: I see some lines are bolder, and almost seem like exaggerations. Her neck, for instance, and around the eye sockets. Almost caricature-like... Curator: Precisely. Those subtle distortions contribute to a more profound reading. Observe how those deliberate accentuations manipulate our perception of form and structure. Van Baarsel masterfully teases the line between representation and interpretation, prompting us to contemplate the subjective nature of portraiture itself. The artist is highlighting particular aesthetic concerns in representational drawing, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I can see that! The tension between accuracy and a sort of... stylized depiction makes it more than just a portrait; it's a statement about seeing. Thanks for helping me appreciate those details. Curator: Indeed, by understanding how the formal choices function, we move beyond mere representation and towards appreciating art as a conceptual act. A keen eye and sharper insights benefit us all.