Mansbuste 1841 - 1857

Johan Daniël Koelman made this small drawing of a man using graphite on paper. The artist’s choice of material, humble graphite, profoundly influences how we engage with the artwork; its inherent qualities of softness and subtlety invite closer inspection. Koelman's careful handling of the graphite pencil brings life to the subject. He coaxes out the textures of the man’s clothing and hat through delicate lines and shading. Graphite, as a readily available material, democratized art-making, and this sketch embodies that accessibility. It reflects the social context of the 19th century, where portraiture was no longer limited to the wealthy elite, but became a more accessible form of artistic expression. By focusing on process and materiality, we appreciate how the creation of this drawing, and others like it, challenged traditional notions of high art by embracing the everyday.