Kop in profiel 1728 - 1789

Jacob Hoolaart made this small drawing, *Kop in profiel*, using ink on paper, sometime in the 18th century. The work's stark simplicity is notable. It's just a quick sketch really, a profile of a head, economically rendered. What's interesting is the directness of the marks. You get a real sense of the hand at work. Ink drawings like this were often preliminary studies, made in preparation for larger paintings or prints. This one feels especially immediate, and the artist's decision to leave it as a final work is intriguing. Consider the labor involved. Hoolaart would have carefully prepared his ink, selected his paper, and used a quill or fine brush to create these delicate lines. This was a world of artisanal skill, far removed from our own age of mass production. Drawings like this offer a glimpse into that world, reminding us of the value of careful, deliberate craftsmanship. It makes you wonder, what was Hoolaart thinking as he made this?