Zittende kwaker, profiel naar rechts 1706 - 1750

Cornelis Troost rendered this understated drawing of a seated Quaker in profile using chalk. The composition is defined by the subject's striking silhouette against a muted background. Notice how the artist employs line and form to convey a sense of quiet dignity. The verticality of the man's tall hat contrasts with the diagonal slant of his posture, creating a dynamic tension within the static scene. Troost's choice of a cool, subdued palette reinforces a mood of somber reflection. The sparse use of color directs our focus to the man's face and hands, subtly suggesting an inner life beyond the austere exterior. Troost's drawing encapsulates the visual and cultural codes of its time, inviting us to consider how appearances can both reveal and conceal the complexities of individual identity and social values.