Apostel Paulus 1669 - 1722

This drawing of the Apostle Paul, by Dutch painter Adriaen van der Werff, is a study for a larger painting. The detail of Paul's face and beard demonstrates Werff's meticulous approach to portraiture. The drawing, done in black chalk on paper, features a close-up view of Paul as he looks down, likely reading from a book, and is indicative of a style popular in the 17th and 18th century. This small but powerful piece, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a great example of Werff's skill as a draftsman.