Portret van Paul Verlaine 1892

Philip Zilcken rendered this portrait of Paul Verlaine in graphite on paper. Verlaine was a leading figure in the Symbolist movement, a reaction against the rigid naturalism and scientific positivism that defined much of 19th-century thought. The Symbolists sought deeper meaning through subjective experience, emotion, and the embrace of spirituality. Verlaine, with his turbulent personal life and innovative verse, embodied this ethos. His work often explored themes of sin, redemption, and altered states of consciousness, reflecting his own struggles with addiction and societal norms. Zilcken's portrayal captures Verlaine in quiet repose, his gaze directed inward. There's a contemplative quality here, hinting at the complex inner world of a man who challenged the prevailing norms of his time. This drawing invites us to consider the human condition through the lens of personal experience and artistic expression.