Kop van Christus 1884

This is Nicolaas van der Waay’s ‘Head of Christ,’ a drawing rendered with graphite on paper. The composition is dominated by the head and shoulders of Christ, shown in profile against the bare paper. Lines create a sense of depth, forming soft shadows across the face and beard. Van der Waay employs cross-hatching to build tonal complexity which brings definition and volume to the figure's features. The halo around Christ's head is subtly sketched, a faint set of lines creating a spiritual aura. The formal qualities of the drawing invite reflection on the relationship between representation and spirituality. The artist’s choice of medium speaks to the tradition of drawing as a means of conveying both the physical likeness and the inner essence of the subject. The incompleteness, emphasized by the visible sketch lines, becomes part of the artwork's statement, suggesting a space for individual interpretation. This incompleteness challenges the notion of a fixed or absolute image of divinity.