Portret van een kind in een interieur 1657

Gesina ter Borch rendered this portrait of a child in an interior with graphite on paper. Graphite, a readily available material, allows for detailed and delicate sketching, offering a tangible connection to the subject through its immediate application. The artist skillfully uses the medium to capture the soft textures of the child's clothing and the subtle gradations of light. The marks denote the sitter's upper-class status - from their leisurely scene to their extravagant dress and ornamentation. The drawing's texture reflects ter Borch's technical virtuosity; she was celebrated in her time for her mastery of drawing, a practice not generally associated with women artists during this period. This challenges the traditional hierarchy that separates 'fine art' from 'craft', given the level of skill and artistry invested in what might otherwise be seen as a simple portrait. The work is not just a depiction, but an intimate record of a moment in time, and a testament to the artist's engagement with both her subject and her chosen medium.