Man met stok die zijn hoed ophoudt c. 1843 - 1864

Curator: Looking at this wispy pencil drawing, “Man met stok die zijn hoed ophoudt”, I am struck by the starkness of the figure and his somber pose. Created between 1843 and 1864 by Herman Frederik Carel ten Kate, the work is a portrait done in pencil on paper, and we can find it in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's amazing how much expression the artist conveys with such minimal strokes! The composition is really all about line and pose. Note the gesture; his careful hold on his hat against, presumably, a strong gust of wind creates such a precarious feeling. Curator: And what is he thinking as he holds his hat? The artist painted genre paintings. Could he be representative of the common man, simply existing and enduring external forces? It evokes questions around identity and the silent struggles of everyday life for ordinary people. The pose of holding onto a hat amidst an unseen wind reminds me of the fight people had to survive with basic means and little control. Editor: Exactly, you see how the dynamic composition leads us to ask these questions. Observe how the artist has used negative space to highlight his figure. The thinness of the line, the relative lack of shading—everything combines to project his presence from the picture plane, inviting viewers to connect with him. The paper has slight stains, it’s definitely something adding to the feel. Curator: It certainly gives insight into a historical subject while simultaneously provoking contemporary philosophical queries concerning human existence. Was the artist portraying someone he saw, and how can we discuss this person and relate his experience with issues of our present time? This gives a universal meaning beyond time. Editor: I’d simply note the effect of formal structure and stylistic execution—the visual effect of which then radiates. As we move on, perhaps the viewer will see how this pencil line work invites the feeling of quiet, yet also perseverance, given the theme?