Two Studies of Heads, Self-Portraits 1661

Moses ter Borch created these two self-portrait head studies with pen and brown ink in the mid-17th century, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is stark, featuring two heads against a muted blue background. What strikes me is the dichotomy in rendering: the first head is sketched with delicate, almost hesitant lines, while the second employs bolder strokes, creating a more pronounced contrast of light and shadow. Ter Borch seems to be exploring the potential of his medium, using line and shading to construct form and evoke distinct moods. This contrast reveals an interest in the semiotics of portraiture, particularly how the artist uses formal elements to convey psychological depth. The rougher handling of the second portrait might suggest a probing of the self, an attempt to capture a more assertive or perhaps troubled aspect of the artist's persona. Ultimately, the drawing is less about perfect likeness and more about the materiality of the artistic process and the unstable nature of identity itself.