Blanche Disneur uit Chimay - Aat Breur-Hibma

A delicate graphite portrait by Dutch artist Aat Breur-Hibma, capturing the subject in a quiet, introspective three-quarter profile.

This portrait by the Dutch artist Aat Breur-Hibma captures the likeness of Blanche Disneur, a subject from Chimay. Executed in graphite, the work demonstrates the artist's focus on observational drawing and the subtle modulation of tone. Breur-Hibma employs a delicate touch, using fine hatching to define the contours of the face and the soft texture of the hair. The subject is depicted in a three-quarter profile, her gaze directed away from the viewer, which lends the composition a sense of quiet introspection.

The drawing retains the character of a working study, with visible construction lines and a raw, untrimmed edge to the paper. Such details provide insight into the artist's process, revealing the methodical approach taken to capture the proportions and features of the sitter. The shading is applied with precision, particularly around the eyes and the jawline, where the artist builds depth through layered strokes. The hair is rendered with fluid, rhythmic marks that suggest movement and volume, contrasting with the more static, structured lines of the facial features.

Breur-Hibma, known for her involvement in the Dutch resistance during the Second World War and her subsequent artistic career, often produced works that balanced technical accuracy with a sensitive portrayal of her subjects. This piece is representative of her ability to translate the personality of an individual onto paper through minimal means. The choice of medium allows for a directness that is often lost in more elaborate compositions, making this a clear example of her draughtsmanship. The work remains an honest record of a specific individual, preserved in the understated medium of pencil on paper.