Vier figuren, waaronder een man met een baard en een vrouw met een onderkin (1943-11-23)

The artwork titled "Vier figuren, waaronder een man met een baard en een vrouw met een onderkin" by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, dated November 23, 1943, presents a captivating and somewhat enigmatic composition rendered in pencil. This piece showcases Mesquita's expert handling of line and form to depict four figures, each characterized by distinctive features and expressions.In this drawing, the figures are tightly grouped, with their features exaggerated to emphasize various aspects of their personality or presence. The bearded man on the left side of the composition carries a solemn, wise expression, his long beard and pronounced features carving a strong profile. Adjacent to him is a striking skeletal figure wearing what appears to be a theatrical mask, adding a dramatic and perhaps symbolic layer to the piece. This figure’s stark, bony visage contrasts intriguingly with the more fleshed-out human figures.To the right, we see a woman whose features, including a prominent double chin, are detailed with gentle curves, adding a softness that juxtaposes the more angular lines used in the other figures. Beneath her gazes a smaller, distressed-looking figure, its face contorted in an expression of concern or dismay.The interplay of these characters within such proximity and their divergent expressions suggest a narrative or an allegorical scene, indicative of Mesquita's work during a tumultuous period in history.