Portret van een oudere heer, zittend, naar rechts 1800 - 1900

This drawing of an older gentleman was made anonymously with pen on prepared paper. The identity of both the sitter and the artist remain a mystery to us. The man's direct gaze and somewhat severe expression are softened by the loose, informal style of the drawing itself. It’s an interesting tension, and it makes me wonder what kind of relationship existed between the artist and the sitter. Was this a quick study dashed off in a moment of observation, or a more considered portrait intended for public display? Looking at the history of portraiture, it's important to remember that images of this kind were often commissioned by the sitter themselves, used as markers of social status and personal identity. Without knowing more, however, we can only speculate about the social context in which this particular portrait was made and viewed. Art history offers a rich set of tools for asking these kinds of questions. We use archival records, fashion history, and social theory to better understand the historical world that produced images like this.