Strand met paarden en schuiten 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve sketched this drawing, 'Strand met paarden en schuiten', using graphite on paper. The work is striking for its compositional simplicity, with the linear forms of horses and boats dominating the scene, set against a muted background. Mauve's use of line is particularly noteworthy here; each stroke seems economical, yet captures the essence of the forms. The sketch, in its minimalist approach, directs our attention to the underlying structure of representation. The horses are depicted with an almost diagrammatic quality. This use of line challenges traditional notions of perspective. The marks and lines on the beach are not merely representations but function as signs. The work’s impact lies in how Mauve reduces forms to their most basic elements, inviting a re-evaluation of how we perceive and interpret the world around us through art. This piece serves as a reminder that art is an ongoing process of questioning and reinterpretation.