Portret van een man met hoed, genaamd Jodocus c. 1883 - 1914

This is Floris Arntzenius's portrait of a man named Jodocus, created with graphite on paper. The use of graphite, a humble material, allows for quick, expressive strokes, capturing the essence of the sitter with remarkable economy. This is a study, and the focus is on the formal qualities of the composition rather than detail. Arntzenius is thinking about tonal contrasts, and areas of light and shadow. Graphite, as a medium, lends itself to reproduction, a quality that connects it to the wider world of printmaking and industrial production. This drawing’s power comes from the intimate connection between the artist’s hand and the paper’s surface, as if the artist is thinking through the act of drawing. Ultimately, this portrait reminds us that even the simplest materials, when skillfully handled, can reveal profound insights into the human condition. It challenges us to reconsider the value we place on materials and making in our understanding of art.