A delicate seventeenth-century portrait study in black and white chalk on blue paper by Dutch artist Moses ter Borch.

This study by Moses ter Borch captures a quiet, observational moment. Executed in black and white chalk on blue paper, the work demonstrates the artist's technical facility with tonal contrast. The blue paper acts as a mid-tone, allowing the artist to build form through the application of dark chalk for shadows and white chalk for highlights on the face and collar.

The subject is depicted in profile, facing right, wearing a dark cap that frames the face. The lines are soft, suggesting a quick study rather than a formal, posed portrait. Ter Borch focuses on the play of light across the features, particularly the brow and the curve of the cheek. The use of blue paper was a common practice among Dutch draughtsmen of the seventeenth century, providing a cohesive atmospheric quality to the sketch.

Moses ter Borch, the younger brother of the more famous Gerard ter Borch, showed significant promise before his early death. His drawings often reveal a personal, informal quality, capturing family members or acquaintances in domestic settings. This particular sheet reflects the intimate nature of his practice, where the focus remains on the immediate physical presence of the sitter. The economy of the medium allows the viewer to see the artist's hand, from the hatching used to define the shadow beneath the chin to the lighter, more delicate strokes defining the texture of the cap. It is a direct, unadorned observation, typical of the period's interest in character studies and the subtle nuances of human expression.