Lezende man, zittend aan tafel 1818

"Lezende man, zittend aan tafel" is a red chalk drawing created in 1818 by Dutch artist Christiaan Julius Lodewijk Portman. The drawing depicts an elderly man seated at a table, intently reading a large book. The man is dressed in simple clothing and his face is etched with age and wisdom. Portman's work, a characteristic example of 19th-century Dutch realism, portrays everyday life and the quiet dignity of its subjects. This particular piece is now housed in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and exemplifies Portman’s skill at capturing subtle nuances of human expression through delicate lines and shading.