Portret van Hendrik Voogd 1830 - 1862

Here we see Jan Simon Voddigel's 'Portrait of Hendrik Voogd', drawn with pen in grey, at the Rijksmuseum. The portrait features a man, his gaze directed away, giving us only a partial view of his face. What is most notable is the artist's use of line. Through hatching and cross-hatching, Voddigel creates depth and volume, particularly in the subject's hair and clothing. The rapid, almost frantic lines add a sense of movement and energy to the portrait, preventing it from becoming static. Consider how the looseness of the lines might suggest a sense of immediacy. Are we catching a fleeting glimpse of Hendrik Voogd? Or perhaps it reflects a broader artistic shift towards capturing subjective experience over objective representation? These questions invite us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper implications of Voddigel's formal choices.