Portret van To van der Sluys 1926

Herman Lugt drew this portrait of To van der Sluys with graphite on paper in 1926. I’m fascinated by the softness that Lugt achieves with such a simple medium. There's a real tenderness in the shading, like he's caressing the paper to bring her likeness to life. The way Lugt renders the hair is particularly striking. Each strand seems to be individually articulated with delicate marks. It’s these subtleties that add depth and dimension to the portrait. If you look at the gentle curve of her cheek, you can almost feel the pressure of the pencil as it glides across the paper, building up layer upon layer of graphite to create subtle gradations of tone. This reminds me a little of the work of Agnes Martin in its quietness. Both artists share a similar attention to detail and an understanding of how small gestures can create a sense of stillness. Ultimately, this portrait invites us to pause, to observe, and to appreciate the beauty of simplicity.