Portret van Lucas Jonker 1890 - 1920

Koene & Büttinghausen created this portrait of Lucas Jonker with graphite or charcoal. I can imagine the studio filled with natural light, the air thick with the smell of paper and fixative. The artists probably started with a light sketch, gradually building up the tones and textures to capture Lucas Jonker’s likeness. Look how the soft shading around the eyes gives him a thoughtful gaze. There’s a sensitivity to the way the light falls across his face, revealing the subtle nuances of his character. I wonder what it was like for Lucas Jonker to sit for this portrait. Was he patient, or did he fidget and squirm? Did he feel seen and understood by the artists, or was he just going through the motions? As an artist, it's always interesting to wonder what's going on with the person in front of you as you create.