The quiet lines of Leeuwarden Tjeert Eernstman lived through a century of change, moving from the early days of his life in Leeuwarden to his later years in Apeldoorn. He began his training under Willem Bartel van der Kooi, learning the discipline required for precise work. His hands were accustomed to the weight of charcoal and the fine point of a pencil. Between 1829 and 1842, he shared this technical knowledge as a drawing lecturer at the Athenaeum of Franeker. His daily practice involved a careful study of how light settles on a surface. In his portraits, one sees a focus on the way fab…