Portret van Willem Maris 1893

This is Jan Veth’s pencil drawing of Willem Maris, now held at the Rijksmuseum. Veth, living from 1864 to 1925, was deeply engaged in the cultural and intellectual life of the Netherlands, and his portraits provide insight into the Dutch elite of the time. Consider the intimate scale and medium. The use of pencil creates a directness that invites us into a private moment with Maris. His gaze is averted, lost in thought, and the tight crop emphasizes his presence. There’s a somber, almost melancholic air about him. Veth’s decision to portray Maris in this way reflects broader questions about representation. Rather than presenting a grand, public image, Veth captures something quieter and more introspective. In doing so, he challenges traditional notions of portraiture and masculinity. Ultimately, this work prompts us to consider the relationship between public and private identity, and the emotional lives of figures often seen as part of a historical narrative.