Studieblad met paarden en vleugels 1884 - 1952

Curator: This is Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries' "Studieblad met paarden en vleugels", a pencil drawing dating between 1884 and 1952. Editor: It's a rather intriguing drawing; the sketch-like quality, along with the unusual blocky style and the contrasting presence of wings, create an interesting effect. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Primarily, I engage with its formal qualities. Observe how the artist employs line – stark, utilitarian – to define the subjects. The reduction of forms into almost geometric components suggests an exploration of structure rather than representational accuracy. It adheres to structuralism by revealing the intrinsic order of form. What compositional relationships do you perceive? Editor: Well, there’s a juxtaposition of natural and unnatural, like the anatomically blocky horse beside what appears to be stylized wings. Are you saying the contrast between realistic and abstract shapes contributes to its meaning? Curator: Precisely. It directs our gaze to the materiality, or what is represented and how, and it seems the subject matter is second to the study of form, wouldn’t you agree? Consider the visual tension between the fluid curves of the wings and the rigid, angular lines composing the horses. Editor: I see that now. The wings offer a softness that contrasts the harsh, block-like body of the animal, thus establishing a contrast. It seems a lot more methodical than my initial reaction. Curator: Indeed, viewing it through a formalist lens encourages an understanding beyond immediate aesthetics and unlocks a more academic and methodical engagement with the artwork’s qualities. Editor: This was extremely insightful, thank you. Curator: A rewarding exercise, indeed.