Portret van Gillis van Breen, tekenend of hout snijdend 1568 - 1617

Hendrick Goltzius created this ink drawing of Gillis van Breen in the late 16th or early 17th century, during the Dutch Golden Age. Van Breen is portrayed in the act of creation, either drawing or woodcutting, head bent in concentration. This choice emphasizes not just his profession but also the intellectual labor inherent in artistic creation. The detailed rendering of his features and the textures of his hair and clothing suggests Goltzius’s deep respect for his subject and his craft. During this era, artists were beginning to assert a higher social status, moving away from being seen merely as craftsmen to being recognized as intellectuals and creators of value. How does it feel to consider art not just as an object, but as a reflection of personal identity and social aspirations? This portrait exists as a testament to the shifting perceptions of artists in society and the emotional connection between the artist and their subject.