Portret van Henry de Bourbon 1850 - 1910

Editor: Here we have "Portret van Henry de Bourbon" dating from 1850 to 1910, attributed to W.J.J. des Hauvents. It appears to be a pencil drawing, possibly a print, of a rather dignified gentleman. What do you see in this piece, Professor? Curator: Intriguing. Let us first consider the lines. Notice the tight hatching and cross-hatching employed to build form. The artist skillfully uses tonal variation to suggest volume, particularly in the rendering of the face and ruff. Observe how the concentration of lines creates darker areas, thus defining the shadows and giving a sense of depth. Do you notice the flatness resulting from the print making it read almost like an early photograph? Editor: I do. I also notice how the circular ruff frames his face so starkly, making it a central focal point in the composition. Curator: Precisely. The artist utilizes a limited range of values and how it affects our reading of the overall form. How might the composition guide the viewer’s eye? Editor: The light tones of the background really push our focus towards the center figure and then the slightly darker clothing, as the darker shade seems to add definition. Also, because most of the work seems to have been put around the central figure, and is very plain away from him, that is the part most people will notice. Curator: Indeed. Through the deployment of tone and contrast, this print presents us not only with a depiction of a personage but with the mechanics of representation itself. It prompts us to see the structural decisions that underlie image-making. The choice of monochrome reinforces this exploration of form. I find myself quite drawn to its understated strength. Editor: I learned a lot from considering line and tone! It's shifted how I view similar works. Curator: As have I. It is always rewarding to dissect how structure conveys depth.