Lezende jongen bij kaarslicht 1650 - 1655

Barent Fabritius created this artwork, "Young Boy Reading by Candlelight," using pen in brown and gray ink. The candle is the dominant symbol, representing illumination, knowledge, and the triumph over darkness. This powerful motif echoes through art history, from ancient philosophical allegories to religious art, symbolizing enlightenment. Think of Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light, where a single candle can transform a scene, charging it with spiritual intensity. Here, the intimate act of reading by candlelight is a psychological exploration—a quiet moment of introspection as the boy absorbs knowledge. Just as light reveals, it also conceals, creating shadows that heighten the sense of mystery and the subconscious. The enduring symbol of light persists, constantly renewed across cultures and epochs.