Portret van Jan Toorop Possibly 1887 - 1953

Albert Hahn made this portrait of Jan Toorop, using ink and graphite, and you can see how the linear marks create a powerful, graphic image. It's like Hahn is thinking through the lines, letting them build up to define Toorop’s intense gaze and strong features. The stark contrast of black ink against the graphite gives it a bold, almost woodcut-like quality. Look at the way Hahn uses these lines to carve out the form, creating textures that feel almost tactile. The dense, dark areas of hair and beard contrast with the smoother planes of the face, suggesting a play of light and shadow that adds depth. It's like Hahn isn’t just drawing a portrait, but building a presence. This portrait reminds me a bit of the raw intensity you find in some of Käthe Kollwitz's prints. Like Kollwitz, Hahn seems interested in capturing the inner life of his subject, not just their external appearance. Art is a conversation, after all, a way to see through someone else's eyes, and then offer your own view in return.