Portretstudie van verschillende hoofden 1825 - 1882

Curator: Look at this wonderful sketchbook page, "Portretstudie van verschillende hoofden," or "Portrait Study of Various Heads," by Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet, created sometime between 1825 and 1882. It's currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My initial reaction is that there's an almost theatrical quality to it. A mix of characters, perhaps studies for a play? There’s a melancholic monk juxtaposed with what appears to be a knight’s helmet. Curator: Indeed. Cornet, though trained in the academic tradition, captures here a looser, more observational style. The range of subjects is fascinating when we think of the artistic environment, wouldn't you agree? He may have captured family members in character, as this was a common type of entertainment during the period. Editor: Absolutely, and I find myself wondering about the social commentary, if any, that Cornet might be hinting at. A face adorned with wealth, right above a head in prayer? Does he highlight inherent class disparity? The individual at the bottom looks almost pleading. Curator: It’s tempting to impose a contemporary reading onto it. I find value in thinking about how his role in portraiture—and portraiture’s place within the societal structure of the 19th century—reflects emerging ideas of individuality versus type. It looks to me as though it served as more of an exercise for the artist. A collection of archetypes, perhaps. Editor: Possibly. Yet the variety itself speaks volumes about the construction of identity, not just artistic talent. I love how seemingly casual the work appears to be, though. The artist captures different angles, playing with shadow and light in such detail on different subject faces. Curator: It's a fascinating intersection of the formal academic and a glimpse into the artist's more private experimentation. The drawing gives an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into Cornet's artistic development. Editor: I appreciate the peek it gives into an artist's process, it underscores that every masterpiece originates somewhere, often from such exploratory work. I am leaving this work wanting to turn back time!