Bishop seated in his Study, seen from his Right Side c. 1645

Abraham Bloemaert's "Bishop seated in his Study, seen from his Right Side" (c. 1645), currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, showcases the artist's mastery of depicting religious figures in a naturalistic setting. The drawing, executed in brown ink on paper, portrays a bishop seated in his study, surrounded by books, a skull, and other objects that hint at the passage of time and the nature of mortality. Bloemaert, a leading figure in the Dutch Baroque, was known for his ability to imbue his subjects with lifelike realism, and this drawing is a testament to his talent for capturing the human form and the emotional depth of his subjects. The drawing’s composition emphasizes the bishop’s position of authority and his deep engagement with the written word.