Portret van David Oyens 1883 - 1951

Editor: We're looking at "Portret van David Oyens," made sometime between 1883 and 1951 by Hendrik van Borssum Buisman. It's a charcoal drawing. There's a directness to the gaze in this portrait. How should we understand it in its time? Curator: That directness is fascinating, especially when considering the rise of the middle class and the burgeoning art market during that period. Portraits became increasingly accessible and served as markers of social status. But why charcoal? What do you think that choice signals? Editor: Maybe an interest in Realism and depicting things as they are, not romanticizing them? What kind of Realism was in vogue back then? Curator: Exactly. There was a broader societal shift towards portraying life as it was experienced. You saw a similar sentiment in literature and theater of the time. This portrait perhaps reflects a desire to present an honest depiction of David Oyens. Considering that, how do you view the social role this drawing might have played back then? Editor: Maybe as a promotional tool for Oyens himself, or for the artist Buisman. Getting your face "out there," showing that you've made it in society? Curator: Precisely! It underlines the changing function of art. The subject is less a grand noble, and more an everyday, albeit successful, citizen. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It's a much more accessible and grounded kind of status symbol than some older aristocratic portraiture. I'm also seeing here how different mediums communicate social messages. Curator: Indeed. Understanding the nuances in artistic choices helps us reveal not just individual stories, but societal trends as well. Always question: what is art *doing* in a culture? Editor: That's a powerful takeaway. Thanks!