Twee portretten en De hemelvaart van Elia - Moses ter Borch

A collection of three studies by Moses ter Borch, featuring the biblical Ascension of Elijah flanked by two portrait sketches on blue paper.

This sheet originates from a sketchbook by Moses ter Borch, a young artist whose career was cut short by his early death. The composition displays three distinct studies on blue paper, a common practice for Dutch draughtsmen of the seventeenth century who utilised the coloured ground to establish mid-tones, allowing for the application of both black and white chalk to create volume and light effects.

The central study depicts the biblical narrative of the Ascension of Elijah. The prophet is shown kneeling, his arms outstretched towards a chariot drawn by horses, which ascends into the clouds. The dynamic movement of the horses and the dramatic gesture of the figure demonstrate the artist's ability to capture narrative energy within a small format. Flanking this central scene are two portrait studies. On the left, a figure wearing a cap is rendered with soft, contemplative features. On the right, a study of a youth with flowing hair provides a contrast in age and expression.

These sketches reflect the informal nature of the artist's working process. The dates 1660 and 1661 are inscribed on the sheet, providing a clear timeline for these exercises. The use of blue paper was a deliberate choice to unify the disparate subjects, creating a cohesive visual experience despite the variation in theme. Moses ter Borch was part of a family of artists, and his work often shows the influence of his more famous half-brother, Gerard ter Borch. This specific page offers a glimpse into the daily practice of a seventeenth-century artist, where religious themes and observational portraiture existed side by side in the same sketchbook.