De Heilige Rochus c. 1611 - 1612

Editor: This is "The Holy Roch" by Gerard ter Borch, dating back to around 1611-1612. It's a drawing held at the Rijksmuseum. I'm struck by its subtle earthiness; the use of what appears to be charcoal or maybe pencil gives it a grounded feel. What are your thoughts on this portrait? Curator: Ah, yes, Saint Roch, patron saint of plague victims – timely, isn’t it? What I find so compelling is the way Ter Borch uses light and shadow to create this incredibly human figure. He's not just some distant saint, but a man leaning wearily against that column. What does the upward gaze convey to you? Editor: It feels hopeful, maybe? Like he's looking towards some sort of divine intervention or respite from suffering. Curator: Precisely! And notice how the loose, flowing lines of his garments contrast with the rigid architecture behind him. It’s almost as if he’s caught between the earthly and the divine. Ter Borch seems to invite us to empathize with Roch’s vulnerability rather than focusing solely on his holiness. Does that resonate with you at all? Editor: I see what you mean. I initially just saw a preliminary sketch, but I can feel that tension between his earthly struggles and his faith. The halo seems almost like an afterthought. Curator: It's the nuance that makes it so captivating, wouldn't you agree? He gives the viewer so much freedom. Editor: Definitely. I came in thinking it was a quick sketch, but now I see it's a powerful study in human resilience and faith. Curator: Indeed! A quiet testament to the strength found in hope, even in the face of despair, and, a chance, as viewers, to fill in the story for ourselves. A simple, powerful thing.