Zittende man met een pet 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of a seated man with a cap from graphite on paper. Graphite itself is a fascinating material, a form of carbon that leaves a mark so easily because its structure is composed of layers that slide off with minimal pressure. In this work, Vreedenburgh uses the slippery quality of graphite to his advantage. He coaxes the material to create a delicate network of lines that suggest the form of a man seated, his cap casting shadows on his face. The visible strokes and smudges of the graphite document Vreedenburgh's process of observation and revision. You can see the labor involved, but the lightness of the material keeps the drawing open and unresolved. The accessibility of drawing materials democratized art-making. With just a pencil and paper, anyone could capture their observations and imaginings. This drawing is a reminder that the humblest of materials can be the foundation for profound artistic expression, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday practice.