Academiestudie met gehelmde kop 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this Academiestudie met gehelmde kop, or Academic Study with Helmeted Head, using chalk and graphite on paper. Dijsselhof would have had to understand the inherent qualities of chalk, and how it can be layered to create shadows and volume. Chalk's texture is softer and more forgiving than pen or ink, allowing the artist to build up tone gradually. Similarly, the artist has used graphite to add definition and precision to the facial features and the helmet. The use of chalk and graphite is significant. These materials were essential tools for academic artistic training, especially in the late 19th century, which was a period when art education emphasized classical techniques. The use of these materials can be seen as the artist’s engagement with this academic tradition. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate that this drawing represents a critical moment in Dijsselhof’s artistic development, embodying the intersection of traditional methods and personal creativity, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.