Figuren met oosterse hoofddeksels en een schoenenpoetser c. 1936

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this sketch of figures with oriental headdresses and a shoeshiner, using graphite on paper. The speed and ease with which graphite glides across paper lends itself to quick studies and preparatory sketches. Here, we see the artist capturing the essence of each figure with minimal lines, focusing on their distinctive headwear and posture. The varied pressure applied to the graphite creates subtle tonal shifts, adding depth and volume to the forms despite the limited detail. Given its association with preliminary work, we can assume that Vreedenburgh created this sketch as part of a larger creative process, perhaps as a way to explore composition or capture fleeting impressions of people he encountered. The seemingly mundane subject matter elevates the everyday labor of a shoeshiner, while the oriental head-dresses hint at cross-cultural encounters. By paying attention to the materials and process behind this seemingly simple sketch, we gain a richer understanding of the artist's practice and the social context in which he worked.