Kop van een oude, bebaarde man met een fluwelen baret 1660

Moses ter Borch created this ink drawing of an old, bearded man wearing a velvet beret in the mid-17th century. Ter Borch came from a family of artists during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and artistic output in the Netherlands. The drawing captures the sitter’s aged face, his eyes seem tired, yet knowing. He is wearing what appears to be a velvet beret, an item of clothing which was very fashionable in the 17th century, and a simple tunic. In his hands he holds a walking stick. The details in clothing and expression suggest the artist's attention to the individual’s character and social standing. Ter Borch, who died at only 22 years old, left behind a body of work of intimate, domestic scenes and portraits. His drawings offer us a glimpse into the lives and appearances of people during a transformative period in Dutch history. The work invites reflection on the passage of time and the enduring qualities of human dignity.