Zittende man op een stoel 1824

Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man created this print, "Zittende man op een stoel", sometime in the early 19th century. The composition centers on a seated man, depicted with precise line work that defines his form and attire. The texture achieved through etching gives a tactile quality to the image, contrasting the smooth areas with densely worked, shadowed portions. The man's relaxed posture and the smoke rising from his pipe introduce a moment of contemplation. Nolthenius de Man's use of line and shadow creates a visual structure that invites a reading of the subject's psychological space. The chair itself, rendered with attention to its simple construction, acts as a structural element that grounds the figure within the frame. Notice how the deliberate arrangement of light and shadow creates depth, drawing our eye to the character's face. This careful arrangement isn't merely decorative; it functions as a signifier, prompting us to consider the narratives and social contexts that shape our understanding of the sitter and his world.