Studie van de zijkant van de kop van een kind 1675 - 1711

This undated drawing at the Rijksmuseum is titled "Study of the Side of a Child's Head" and was made by an anonymous artist. The composition features two nearly identical studies of a child’s head, each meticulously rendered with fine lines. The artist emphasizes form and structure. Observe how the curls of the hair are depicted through a series of spiraling lines, creating texture and depth. The consistent use of line work throughout the composition ties the two studies together, encouraging a comparative reading. The hatching and cross-hatching define the contours of the face and neck, highlighting the subtle gradations of light and shadow, adding volume and a sense of three-dimensionality. The careful attention to form, line, and shading, serves as a visual discourse, examining and celebrating the intrinsic elements of art itself. The drawing’s simplicity opens it up for ongoing interpretations about the fundamental aspects of representation and perception.