Studies van de hoed van een vrouw 1876 - 1951

Theo Nieuwenhuis made this study of a woman’s hat in charcoal on paper, we’re not sure exactly when. There’s something so immediate about charcoal, you know? You can really see the hand of the artist moving across the page, feeling out the form. Nieuwenhuis captures these hats with a beautiful economy of line. The marks are so expressive, almost like handwriting, you can sense him turning the hat in his mind, trying to capture its essence. Look at the smudging and the way the charcoal seems to dissolve into the paper! The texture is key here, it gives the piece a real sense of depth. I’m especially drawn to the darkest area, the brim of the hat at the bottom. It’s like a little anchor, grounding the whole composition. This reminds me a little of Manet’s sketches, the way he could conjure up a whole world with just a few strokes. Art is an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas. Ultimately, it's about embracing ambiguity and allowing for multiple interpretations.