Portret van de schilder Johannes Antonius Verschaeren 1812 - 1861

This is a graphite drawing of the painter Johannes Antonius Verschaeren, made by Jacobus Everhardus Josephus van den Berg. The drawing offers a delicate study in tonal variation. The face, rendered in profile, is softly modeled with subtle gradations, capturing the fall of light across the planes of Verschaeren's features. This precision highlights the formal concern with structure and form that define Van den Berg's approach. The medium itself, graphite, allows for a range of effects, from the crisp delineation of the jacket to the hazy rendering of the background. Here, the hatching lines, particularly in the darker areas of the coat, create a sense of depth. It allows for a visual semiotic system in which light and shadow serve as signs to communicate volume, texture, and expression. Ultimately, the work challenges fixed notions of portraiture. Its exploration into the subtleties of tone and line offers an interesting artistic and philosophical discourse.