Seated Oriental man c. 1631 - 1674

Gerbrand van den Eeckhout created this drawing, ‘Seated Oriental Man,’ in the 17th century, using black chalk and brush on paper. Eeckhout’s choice of materials is worth noting. Chalk, readily available and easily manipulated, allowed him to achieve subtle gradations of light and shadow, and the combination of chalk and brush enabled a blend of precision and fluidity in his lines. Look at the details of the man's turban, the fur trim of his robe, and the fabric draped around him. The artist's skill is evident in the way he captures the textures and patterns of these materials, bringing them to life on paper. Drawings such as this one were products of a culture increasingly interested in capturing and categorizing the world. By focusing on the artistry and materiality of Eeckhout’s technique, we can appreciate the drawing not only as a representation but also as a document of its time, when the making and understanding of art were deeply intertwined.