Portret van Charles Jacques Édouard Morren 1831 - 1890

Editor: So, this is "Portret van Charles Jacques Édouard Morren," made sometime between 1831 and 1890 by Jean Baptiste Pierre Michiels. It’s at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a portrait, obviously, and very subtle, mostly in whites and grays, rendered in pencil. There's a certain softness about the whole thing. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: What a magnificent beard! Immediately transports me back to a time when a well-groomed beard spoke volumes about a man’s character and standing, doesn’t it? More seriously though, this sketch gives the impression of being caught mid-thought. See the light, almost hesitant strokes? It hints at a man captured in a moment of quiet reflection. Does that resonate with you at all? Editor: Definitely, it does. There’s a contemplative quality about his eyes. The fact that it is a sketch, an under drawing if you will, adds to this feeling of immediacy. I wonder if this sketch might have served as a study for a painting? Curator: Precisely! Sketches, especially portraits, often acted as the bedrock for grander artistic endeavours. The artist captures the raw essence and the character before diving into the complexities of a full-blown portrait. You have to imagine what it would be like, sitting for hours for such an artwork. Editor: True! It offers a glimpse into the artistic process. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Curator: My pleasure. I walk away from it thinking of what the sitter may have been pondering during his rendering, don't you?