Strij van Abraham Sitting boy Sun Abraham van Strij

The drawing presents a young boy seated upon what appears to be a chest or small table. He is positioned in profile, his gaze directed towards the left of the frame. The composition is simple; the figure dominates the space, set against a backdrop of roughly rendered architectural elements – a wall and a window.
The artist’s use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of volume and texture, particularly evident in the depiction of the boys clothing and hair. Light falls from the right, illuminating one side of his face and torso while leaving the other in shadow. This contrast emphasizes the contours of his features and adds depth to the drawing. The loose, expressive lines suggest an immediacy and spontaneity in the artist’s execution.
The boy’s posture is notable. He sits with his legs crossed, arms folded across his chest, conveying a sense of introspection or perhaps even melancholy. His head is slightly bowed, further reinforcing this impression. The presence of a string or cord extending from the chest towards the floor introduces an element of ambiguity; it could be interpreted as a playful detail, a restraint, or simply a compositional device to ground the figure within the scene.
The setting itself – the interior space with its window and plain walls – lacks specific details that would provide contextual clues. This sparseness contributes to the drawing’s overall mood of quiet contemplation. The absence of other figures isolates the boy, focusing attention solely on his demeanor and expression.
Subtly, there is a sense of vulnerability conveyed through the boys posture and gaze. While not overtly sad, he seems lost in thought, perhaps experiencing a moment of solitude or reflection. The drawing avoids sentimentality; instead, it offers a quiet observation of childhood – a fleeting glimpse into a young person’s inner world.