Figuurstudie 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made this graphite drawing of a figure study sometime before 1945. The rapid, diagonal lines and curves create a sense of movement, as if the artist were trying to capture a fleeting moment. Can you imagine Stolk, quickly sketching, trying to capture the essence of the figure before it disappears? The surface of the paper peeks through, creating a layered effect that adds depth and texture to the image. It reminds me of the way Giacometti would build up form with line. There’s something honest about the rawness of the marks, which reveal the process of creation. I can feel Stolk’s hand moving across the page, searching, discovering, erasing, and starting again. That’s what I love about drawing – it’s a conversation between the artist and the subject, a back-and-forth dance of looking and making that brings the artwork to life.