Portret van Lodewijk Ernst Hertog van Brunswijk-Wolffenbüttel 1763

Aert Schouman rendered this portrait of Lodewijk Ernst, the Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, in chalk on paper. This isn't a painting done in oils by a master, but rather a drawing that leans into the immediacy and intimacy that chalk affords. Look closely, and you'll see the character of the support coming through the image. Schouman has used the texture of the paper to his advantage, letting it catch the chalk in places to create a sense of depth and shadow. The Duke's features are soft, but there is a keenness in his eye, a liveliness that comes through the artist's hand. While portraits of the elite were common, the use of chalk democratized the process somewhat. It was quicker and less costly than oil paint, making portraiture accessible to a wider range of patrons, capturing a moment in time with a directness that speaks volumes about both sitter and artist.