De Hengstenleider 1878 - 1938

Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst made this drawing of a man's head, "De Hengstenleider," with what looks like charcoal or maybe conté crayon. I wonder about the artist's relationship to this man – did they know each other well? I imagine Holst scrutinizing his subject’s face, trying to capture not just the likeness but also the inner spirit. Look at those deeply etched lines around the eyes and mouth. You can almost feel the weight of his experiences. The man's gaze is intense, and the shading gives so much depth to his face. It reminds me of other portrait drawings by artists like Käthe Kollwitz who also sought to capture the essence of human character. It's like they're all in conversation, these artists across time, inspiring each other to see and feel more deeply. Drawing, at its heart, is a way to know another.