Portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven; Portret van Ludwig van Beethoven Antoon Derkinderen (1859-1925)

The drawing presents a bust-length portrait of a man facing forward. The composition is tightly cropped, focusing intently on his head and upper torso. A rectangular border frames the figure, emphasizing its centrality within the space.
Here we see a face marked by age and intensity. Deep lines furrow the brow and bracket the mouth, suggesting both weariness and profound thought. The eyes possess a penetrating gaze, conveying an impression of introspection or perhaps even melancholy. The artist has rendered the skin with meticulous attention to texture; subtle cross-hatching creates a sense of volume and realism, particularly around the nose and cheeks.
The man’s hair is depicted as a wild tangle of curls, executed with energetic strokes that suggest both disarray and vitality. This unruly quality contrasts with the formal setting implied by the cravat at his neck, which is rendered with more precise lines. The clothing appears simple, devoid of ornamentation, further directing attention to the subject’s face.
The overall effect is one of psychological depth. The artist has not merely recorded a likeness but sought to capture an inner state – a sense of struggle or profound contemplation. The absence of background elements contributes to this focus, isolating the figure and intensifying his presence. One might interpret the drawing as a visual representation of a complex personality, someone burdened by intellect and experience yet possessing undeniable strength and character. The starkness of the medium (appearing to be etching or engraving) reinforces the gravity of the subject’s expression and the overall solemnity of the portrait.