De ongelovige Thomas en Hagar en de engel in de woestijn 1593 - 1690

This is a pen and brown ink drawing made by Gerard ter Borch, likely dating to the mid-17th century. Two scenes from the Bible are drawn side by side. On the left, the doubting Thomas touches the wound of Christ, surrounded by other figures. On the right, Hagar sits dejectedly beneath a tree, comforted by an angel. Ter Borch has used a fine-tipped pen to create delicate, calligraphic lines. The sepia ink, made from iron gall, has a fluid quality, allowing for subtle tonal variations. He skillfully evokes textures, from the rough fabric of garments to the feathery wings of the angel. Drawings like this would have been relatively quick and inexpensive to produce compared to paintings. They circulated among collectors, connoisseurs and other artists. Ter Borch’s masterful control of humble materials elevates this drawing far beyond a mere study, demonstrating that profound artistic expression isn't reliant on precious materials, but rather on the skill of the maker.