Portret van Stefan George en Albert Verwey 1902 - 1962

This lithograph of Stefan George and Albert Verwey was made by Jan Toorop, and is now in the Rijksmuseum. There’s something so simple and immediate about lithography. It’s all about the trace, the direct mark of the hand. In this portrait, the faces are rendered in delicate lines, almost ghostly. They overlap, creating a sense of depth and maybe even psychological complexity. Look at the way Toorop captures the beard of Stefan George, it's a flurry of tiny, almost frantic lines. It contrasts with the smooth, almost classical profile of Verwey. It reminds me of some of Whistler’s portraits, that same understated elegance, but with a hint of something darker lurking beneath the surface. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art isn't about perfection or fixed meanings. It’s about process, about the artist's touch, and about the conversation that unfolds between the artwork and the viewer.