Standing Man Seen from the Side, his Right Arm Raised c. 1650 - 1655

Willem Drost made this intriguing drawing of a standing man with pen and brown ink on paper. The fluidity of the ink allowed Drost to capture the essence of his subject with remarkable economy. Notice how the lines vary in thickness and density, creating a sense of depth and shadow. This technique, known as chiaroscuro, was popular at the time and allowed artists to convey emotion and drama. While Drost may have quickly executed this drawing, it reflects a culture reliant on manual skill. Think of all the labor involved: from the production of the paper and ink, to the handcrafting of the pen, and the skilled draughtsmanship required to bring the figure to life. Drawings like this remind us that the art of the past was deeply rooted in everyday labor. By appreciating the craft, we gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's social context and the world in which it was made.