Hoved af en leende ung mand 1629 - 1632

Karel van Mander III made this drawing, titled 'Head of a Laughing Young Man,' using pen and brown ink with wash on paper. The composition centres on the young man’s face, a burst of energetic lines capturing his lively expression. Mander's use of hatching and varied line weights models the face, giving it volume, while the open mouth and bright eyes suggest a fleeting moment of uninhibited joy. The texture of the paper itself contributes to the sense of immediacy, as if the drawing were dashed off in a fit of inspiration. This emphasis on capturing a transient emotional state reflects a broader interest in psychological realism that emerged during the 17th century. However, Mander’s focus remains on the formal qualities of the drawing itself. The expressive lines and dynamic composition are not merely a means to depict a laughing man but become the very subject of the work. Ultimately, it is through these formal choices that Mander explores the potential of drawing as a medium for capturing human emotion.