Monnik, naar rechts, opziende 1752 - 1823

This is "Monnik, naar rechts, opziende" by Johannes Cornelis Mertens, an undated drawing held at the Rijksmuseum. The artwork presents a detailed head and shoulders portrait of a monk, gazing upwards. The drawing employs a muted palette, dominated by earthy tones of browns and greys, creating a somber and contemplative mood. Mertens' focus on texture is evident in the intricate rendering of the monk's beard and the subtle gradations of light on his face. The upward gaze directs our attention beyond the immediate frame, inviting reflection on spiritual or philosophical themes. The careful construction of form through tonal variation establishes a semiotic interplay between the material and the transcendental. The monk's physical presence, grounded in the density of line and color, is juxtaposed with an implied yearning for something beyond the earthly realm. This creates a tension that destabilizes conventional portraiture, engaging with deeper questions about perception and meaning.