Man in zeventiende-eeuwse kleding c. 1860 - 1866

Cornelis Springer created this drawing, "Man in zeventiende-eeuwse kleding," with pen and paper. The sketch presents a figure in historical garb, its lines fluid and tentative. This gives the drawing a feeling of spontaneous creation. The composition is simple, focusing on the form and costume of the man. Springer uses hatching and contour lines to suggest volume, texture and the play of light. The materiality of the work—pencil on paper—gives the artwork an immediacy, documenting a moment of observation or imagination. The loose sketch destabilizes the traditional portrait, focusing more on the gesture and suggestion rather than meticulous representation. This reflects a modern interest in the process and the artist's subjective experience. The lack of background concentrates the attention on the figure, which then becomes a study in form. The drawing serves as a visual fragment. It invites the viewer to consider what constitutes identity and representation, opening up questions about history, perception, and artistic intention.