Portret van een onbekende man 1896 - 1936

Here we see a small pencil drawing of an unknown man by Theodorus Henricus Kerstel. It’s all about the build-up of marks, a real testament to the artist's hand and eye working together. The texture is so present; you can almost feel the grain of the paper. The subtle variations in tone create depth and form, particularly around the face. Look at that moustache; it's like a little landscape of swirling lines and shadows. There's a wonderful sense of observation here, but also an understanding of how to translate three dimensions onto a flat surface. It reminds me a little of some of those late portraits by Van Gogh, the way he used line to capture not just likeness but also something of the sitter’s inner life. Like many great portraits, this one leaves you wondering about the story behind the face. It invites you to create your own narrative, filling in the blanks with your imagination.