Portret van de heer van Duyl 

Thérèse Schwartze made this confident portrait of the mister van Duyl using charcoal on paper. The artist's hand moved freely to capture the essence of her sitter. Charcoal lends itself to quick sketches and finished works; its powdery texture allows for blending and subtle gradations of tone. The artist here has balanced loose gestural strokes with more controlled lines, particularly in the face. Note the details in the eyeglasses and mustache, giving the man a modern, intellectual air. The immediacy of the medium invites the viewer to consider the circumstances of its making. In the nineteenth century, the rise of industrialization made paper more readily available. Charcoal also became easier to manufacture in precise grades. This access to materials allowed artists to explore new avenues of expression and pushed drawing to the forefront. Looking closely at the materiality and processes helps us understand its place in history and culture.