Portret van Willem Maris 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth made this portrait of Willem Maris using graphite on paper. Here, the artist employs a seemingly simple medium to capture the likeness of his subject. The material itself, graphite, is key to understanding the work's effect. Its inherent qualities of mark-making, shading, and texture allowed Veth to build form and volume with subtle gradations of tone. The varying pressure and angle of the graphite on the paper's surface create a sense of depth. Look closely, and you can see how the artist used the side of the graphite to create broader areas of shading, and the tip for finer details like the hair and facial features. There's a clear connection to earlier traditions of drawing, and a great display of skill. But this isn't just a study; it's a statement about the value of observation, and of an understated material. By embracing the directness and immediacy of graphite, Veth elevates what might be considered a humble material to a means of profound expression. It reminds us that true artistry lies not in the complexity of materials, but in the vision and skill applied to them.