Portret van Rudolph Hendrik Saltet 1922

Willy Sluiter made this portrait of Rudolph Hendrik Saltet using graphite on paper. Sluiter was known for his depictions of Dutch daily life. This image reflects the traditional representation of men in power, common at the time. Saltet, with his formal attire and serious gaze, embodies authority and respectability. But consider Sluiter's choice of medium. Graphite, a humble material, creates an intimate portrait. What does it mean to render a figure of authority with such a simple tool? Does it humanize him? Sluiter lived through immense societal change, and his art often reflected the shifting dynamics of Dutch culture. Reflect on how Sluiter uses this image to negotiate the space between individual identity and societal role.