Portret van Pieter de Mare Possibly 1794 - 1796

Abraham Delfos made this portrait of Pieter de Mare using graphite, sometime in the late 18th century. Look closely, and you’ll see the graphite lines build up to create shading and depth. Graphite, easily sourced and applied, democratized image-making, offering an alternative to the expensive oil paintings favored by the elite. Delfos would have employed specific techniques to achieve this likeness. The careful cross-hatching and delicate rendering of light and shadow, reveal his skilled hand. There’s a directness here that is very appealing. This wasn’t simply about technical skill, though. It was about accessibility and a shift in the social landscape of art. Graphite allowed for more affordable portraits, broadening the reach of art beyond the wealthy few. This unassuming drawing speaks volumes about the changing dynamics of art, labor, and society during Delfos’s time.