Portret van Joannes Deknatel 1759 - 1761

This is Cornelis van Noorde’s portrait of Joannes Deknatel, made using pen and black ink, and it resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the composition is structured around a play of textures and tonal contrasts. The subject’s dark coat and the background create a somber field, against which the intricate details of his wig and the delicate lines of the book stand out. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up the forms, giving depth to the figure while maintaining a relatively flat picture plane. The book, held open, serves as a focal point, its geometric form contrasting with the organic curves of the wig and drapery. This juxtaposition may signify the tension between nature and culture, or perhaps, between individual interpretation and institutional doctrine. Consider how van Noorde uses a limited palette to create a visually compelling image that invites us to contemplate the relationship between form and content, representation and meaning.