Zelfportret c. 1875 - 1900

Editor: Here we have Nicolaas van der Waay’s "Self-Portrait," estimated to be from sometime between 1875 and 1900, created using graphite. It strikes me as incredibly intimate, almost as if the artist is peering right into my soul. What catches your eye when you look at this drawing? Curator: Intimate is spot on! I see a man wrestling with his inner self, laid bare through the vulnerable medium of graphite. The scratchy lines, the smudges—it's as if we're witnessing the artist’s thoughts take shape on paper. Makes you wonder what was swirling in his mind as he stared at his reflection, doesn’t it? Editor: Absolutely. There's a sense of melancholy, perhaps even a hint of defiance in his gaze. Is there a particular artistic movement or style that this piece resonates with for you? Curator: Well, it flirts with Realism, that yearning to capture life as it *is*, flaws and all. But it also has this romantic whisper of self-expression. Notice how the background fades into darkness? It throws all the focus onto his face, this single site where all the emotion seems to live. It’s like he's saying, “This is me, take it or leave it.” What do you make of the rather pronounced mustache? Editor: I suppose the mustache can signify sophistication, but also a way to maybe hide emotions, acting as a visual barrier? The way you highlighted the expressive use of line makes me see beyond the literal representation and sense Van der Waay's emotional state. Curator: Precisely. The imperfection is the perfection. It's a lovely reminder that art, like life, is rarely clean and tidy. This little drawing whispers stories, doesn't it? Editor: It really does. I initially saw it as a straightforward portrait, but now it feels like a portal into the artist's mind. Thanks for opening my eyes!