Slinger met rolwerk c. 1901

This sketchbook page titled "Slinger met rolwerk" is by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof. The medium is graphite on paper. Dominating the composition are vertical lines and a cluster of short, vertical marks of varying density. These elements activate the surface of the paper, creating a rhythm that is both structured and organic. Dijsselhof uses line as a primary means of articulating form. The sinuous curves suggest a sense of movement and flow, contrasting with the more rigid, block-like marks. These formal choices indicate Dijsselhof's engagement with symbolism and art nouveau, where natural forms are stylized. The sketchbook format invites us to consider this as part of a larger process—a series of ideas in dialogue with one another. The artist leaves us to ponder the relationship between the natural and the abstract, the controlled and the free. Dijsselhof's sketch prompts us to consider the interplay between form and function.