Schrijver met pen in zijn mond c. 1834 - 1892

This etching by David Bles captures a writer in the throes of contemplation, a pen clenched between his teeth. It’s a seemingly simple image, yet it speaks volumes about the creative process. The pen, of course, is the writer’s tool, a symbol of creation and expression. But here, it is not in hand, poised to write, but held in the mouth, a gesture of frustrated thought. The hand supports the head, a pose familiar throughout art history, often associated with melancholy or deep thought. We see this echoed in depictions of philosophers and thinkers throughout the ages. Consider Rodin’s "The Thinker", or even depictions of the prophet Jeremiah, often shown in similar pensive stances. This pose transcends time, capturing a universal human experience. Here, in Bles' etching, the gesture is less grand, more intimate, inviting us into the writer’s personal struggle. The act of biting or holding something in the mouth is often linked to repressed emotions or a search for comfort. In this context, it becomes a symbol of the writer’s internal battle, the struggle to bring thoughts to life on paper. The image resonates with a quiet intensity, reflecting the subconscious processes at play in the act of creation.