Pennensnijder c. 1765 - 1770

"Pennensnijder" (circa 1765-1770), a graphite drawing by Dutch artist Willem Joseph Laquy (1738-1798), depicts a man seated at a table by a window, meticulously sharpening a pen. The drawing's delicate lines capture the intricate details of the figure's posture and the interior setting, highlighting the quiet intensity of the act of writing. This intimate portrayal of a common task reflects Laquy's talent for capturing the essence of everyday life with a masterful use of light and shadow. The drawing, a testament to the artist's skill in depicting human subjects, is an intriguing example of 18th-century Dutch art.