Twee vogels 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk sketched "Twee vogels" with a pencil on paper. Stolk lived through both World Wars, and while this drawing seems simple, even joyful, we can consider it within the context of conflict and loss, as he himself would die in Bergen-Belsen. Look at how the birds are rendered. They are not realistic, but rather loose, almost fragmented. Is this merely a study, or does it reflect a deeper sense of the precariousness of life? Do these quick lines capture not just the birds' forms, but also their fleeting existence? Stolk's sketch might invite us to reflect on how we perceive freedom and fragility. What does it mean to capture a moment, knowing its inherent transience? The emotional weight of this piece is palpable, urging us to consider the delicate balance between existence and disappearance.