Tekenende jongeman achter tafel 1660s

This drawing, titled "Tekenende jongeman achter tafel," or "Young man drawing at a table" was made by Aert de Gelder sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century, using pen and brown ink on paper. De Gelder was the last pupil of Rembrandt, and this drawing, with its loose, informal sketch-like quality, shows the master's influence. The material itself, humble paper and ink, invites this kind of rapid execution. But don't mistake that ease for a lack of intention. Every mark counts. The artist's subject is, appropriately, a young draftsman. The image gives us a glimpse into the artistic production of the time, but the loose style suggests a distance between the drawing, and the highly detailed paintings that were commissioned by wealthy patrons in the Dutch Golden Age. In this context, it's useful to consider the many hours of skilled labor required to produce the artwork. Drawings like these remind us of the material basis of even the most elevated forms of artistic expression.