Baruch 1590 - 1611

This drawing of Baruch was created by Nicolas de Hoey, who was born in 1590, rendered in pen and brown wash. The sepia tones evoke a sense of history and scholarly intensity. The composition is dominated by the figure of Baruch, hunched over a large book, his form built through a network of fine lines that articulate volume and shadow. Notice how the grid-like structure faintly visible beneath the drawing suggests a rigorous approach to proportion and spatial organization. The artist’s use of line is deliberate and controlled, defining not only the contours of objects but also their texture. The draped fabric, for instance, is rendered with a series of lines and washes that suggest depth. The drawing’s structure echoes the intellectual labour it portrays. The act of writing, the central motif, is visually reinforced through the deliberate and careful construction of the image itself. In this sense, de Hoey’s ‘Baruch’ exemplifies how the formal elements of art can be deeply intertwined with its subject matter, offering insights into the nature of thought and creation.