Portret van vijf maanden oude baby Annie Jurriaanse 1903

Jan Toorop made this small graphite drawing of five-month-old Annie Jurriaanse sometime in February 1905. It’s a quick, almost scribbled kind of portrait, but not in a dismissive way. It’s more like he’s trying to catch the fleeting essence of babyhood. The lines are thin and light, capturing the softness of the baby's skin and the delicate ruffles of her dress. Look at the way he renders the baby's face, with these big, wide eyes that seem to be taking in the world. Then there’s the mark-making around the dress, which is all loose and flowing. This gives it a real sense of movement, as if the baby is just starting to come alive. Toorop’s drawing feels a bit like a Whistler Nocturne, capturing a mood or a feeling more than a perfect likeness. Ultimately, it’s about embracing the beauty of imperfection and the ongoing conversation of art across time.