Een leerling van 1908 1908

Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita made this portrait of a student using woodcut printmaking in 1908. Doesn't it look like he's just paused for a moment? Like he's in deep thought, contemplating some great mystery. I can imagine Mesquita carefully carving away at the wood, each line a deliberate choice, a conversation between artist and material. How does he decide which parts to leave behind and which to remove? It reminds me of when I'm painting and trying to balance what to keep and what to erase. The limited palette creates a striking contrast, drawing our attention to the student's features and the subtle textures of his clothing. The thick lines create a sense of depth and volume, while the blank areas add a feeling of stillness and contemplation. The student is not just a subject, but a presence, captured in a moment of quiet reflection.