Kop van een oude vrouw 1777 - 1779

Pieter de Mare created this small drawing of an old woman's head with pen in the late 18th century. Looking closely, you can see how the ink defines the subtle textures of the skin, especially the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. This level of detail tells us something about de Mare’s careful observation and the way he chose to represent the effects of age. The use of pen and ink, a relatively accessible medium, suggests a focus on draftsmanship and line work. The quick strokes and minimal shading further emphasize the immediacy of the drawing, capturing a fleeting moment of everyday life. This approach elevates the ordinary, turning the face of an aging woman into a subject worthy of artistic attention. In doing so, de Mare challenges the traditional hierarchy that often separates ‘high art’ from more grounded, observational studies of common people. He demonstrates that even the simplest materials and subjects can carry profound artistic merit.