Man kijkt in een lege kruik 1734 - 1785

Editor: Here we have "Man Looking into an Empty Jug," a drawing using pen and charcoal, by Jan Stolker, from the Dutch Golden Age. It’s from around 1734 to 1785 and lives here at the Rijksmuseum. The lighting and soft strokes really create a feeling of pensiveness. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: It is indeed a composition that hinges upon a central figure engaged in introspection. Notice how the artist has used hatching to sculpt the form, particularly around the face and the folds of the clothing. Consider, for example, the relation between the dark, dense strokes and the areas left relatively bare. What does that contrast communicate? Editor: I think it makes the figure really pop, like the contrast draws your eye in and highlights the subject’s expression. Curator: Precisely. And beyond the representation, we must look at the arrangement. The curvature of the jug mimics, in reverse, the slouch of the figure, thereby establishing a subtle visual echo that contributes to the piece’s overall sense of melancholic unity. Note, as well, the strategic placement of the light source, presumably from the left, illuminating specific planes of the figure and the jug, thereby enhancing their three-dimensionality. What compositional decision do you feel is most effective? Editor: For me, it is the detail of the hat. The textures create shadows that really add complexity to the head and command attention to the face. Curator: A keen observation. It seems clear, in scrutinizing Stolker’s drawing, that careful application of technique coupled with compositional balance gives this seemingly simple genre painting its enduring impact. Editor: I never would have considered the jug echoing the pose; seeing that adds a whole new dimension to the work. Thanks for sharing your perspective!