Begijnhof Brugge 1941

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries made this drawing of Begijnhof Brugge with what seems to be sepia ink. The scene comes into being with the bare minimum of marks, with a sense of confidence and simplicity.   The overall tone of the piece is warm, almost nostalgic. It's a testament to how much can be achieved with a limited palette. Look at how the artist suggests texture and depth with only slight variations in line thickness, it's like he is whispering secrets onto the paper. My eyes keep going back to the chimneys, these solid vertical marks which add weight and scale to the image. The marks around the building seem to echo this structural element but, unlike the sharp architectural lines, become fainter and more organic in their construction, as if the whole building has simply grown out of the ground. De Vries’s approach reminds me a little of Agnes Martin, where the slightest gesture can carry so much emotional weight. Both artists understand that sometimes, less really is more.