Portret van Christiaen Rodenburg (?) 1593 - 1599

This is a drawing called 'Portret van Christiaen Rodenburg (?)' by Hendrick Goltzius, made with pen in brown and gray on paper. The first thing that strikes you is the use of line. Notice the intricate details of the hair, achieved through delicate, curving lines, versus the broader, more suggestive lines that define the sitter's clothing. This contrast creates a hierarchy, drawing our eye to the face as the focal point of the composition. Goltzius’ technique reflects the artistic milieu of his time, one that balanced naturalistic representation with the stylized conventions of mannerism. The portrait destabilizes the traditional notions of identity. By employing a range of linear techniques, Goltzius invites us to consider the complex interplay between appearance, representation, and perception. It's a work that engages not just with likeness, but with the very idea of image-making itself.