Portret van Jacques Van Gingelen 1840 - 1842

Editor: Here we have Jozef Cornelius Correns' pencil drawing, "Portret van Jacques Van Gingelen," created sometime between 1840 and 1842. There’s a quiet stillness to it, a sort of reserved confidence. What stands out to you when you look at this portrait? Curator: Ah, yes. It's like stepping into someone's memory, isn't it? For me, beyond the sitter's controlled demeanor, it’s in the soft gradients achieved by the pencilwork that truly captivates me. See how the light seems to caress his face, giving life to a seemingly static medium. Do you get a sense of Correns almost… caressing the paper, too? Editor: I do now that you mention it! The detail in the jacket contrasts with the plain background and puts a lot of focus on Jacques' face. I almost missed how soft the shading is at first glance. Was that contrast typical for portraiture of that time? Curator: In the Romantic era, the quest was to capture the soul! The clarity in the jacket is an indicator of status and accomplishment. But yes, the sharp focus of his face is key: The artist invites us in to ponder on Jacques’s inner thoughts, to consider the very essence of Van Gingelen! It makes me wonder what was going through his mind at that moment, immortalized by Correns’ hand. Editor: It definitely gives you that impression, a frozen moment. I love the idea that you can sense so much just from the subtleness of the medium, of pencil on paper. Curator: Exactly! And isn’t it marvelous how such simplicity can evoke so much? I almost want to go off on a tangent about my pencil collection but… another time! This has made me want to revisit sketching. Thanks for this observation.