Staande figuur in lange jas en hoed, linkerhand in zijn vest 1780s - 1790s

Curator: Up next is a drawing attributed to Johannes Ziesenis, created sometime in the 1780s or 1790s. It's titled "Standing Figure in a Long Coat and Hat, Left Hand in his Vest." Editor: My first impression is quiet contemplation, almost melancholic. He's shrouded in that long coat, and the pose is a bit self-conscious. I am curious about that hat. Curator: That pose, with the hand tucked into the vest, does evoke a certain era, doesn't it? A signifier of thoughtfulness, maybe even mild world-weariness, if we imbue it with Romantic-era ideals. The hat likely carries that weight as well; It reminds me a little of Van Dyck. Editor: The simplicity of the pencil rendering is interesting here. This feels more like a preparatory sketch—a moment of observing and rapidly noting some sartorial or characteristic detail of the figure. Curator: Exactly. Look closely at the subtle shading on the figure’s face and hands, for example. Even the light pencil work serves to amplify the sitter's aura of quiet intelligence. It's not just a portrait, it’s also about projecting certain characteristics. It's a figure mediating its presentation. Editor: Right. Ziesenis clearly worked rapidly, focusing less on building dense tone and more on getting the line down, seeing what the pencil and paper yielded when put together, perhaps sketching on inexpensive paper that might not warrant long sessions of mark-making. This kind of quick study would require fewer material inputs and thus was very suitable for sketching in preparation of a painting. Curator: The romanticism of the piece strikes me though: the dramatic use of clothing, a single strong light source on his face; it emphasizes personal emotions, an interest in a heightened sense of interiority... all conveyed with limited means. It anticipates something significant bubbling under the surface. Editor: And from a material standpoint, you see those swift lines and tonal shifts arising from an iterative practice…an artisan making smart material choices, understanding what kind of sketch produces an affective impression and making do with accessible tools. Curator: Ultimately, I see that synthesis. Editor: I do too, there is a charm that stems from the piece being unfinished or rapidly produced.