Zeepaarden c. 1901

This drawing, Zeepaarden, by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof is a peek into the artist’s process, a way of seeing and thinking made visible with graphite on lined paper. The lines are so delicate, like whispers, each mark feeling like a conscious decision, a gentle coaxing of form from the blank page. The texture of the paper, with its pale lines, adds a subtle, rhythmic quality to the composition. Dijsselhof’s strokes are so light, almost hesitant, yet together they create these floating sea horses, evoking a sense of the fantastical. See how each creature is outlined with such fine strokes, capturing its unique shape and texture? It is almost as though he is mapping out a dream. Dijsselhof reminds me of Odilon Redon, both artists sharing a similar sensibility for the surreal and a commitment to exploring the depths of the imagination through their work. This drawing isn't just about sea horses; it’s about the act of searching, the pleasure of seeing something emerge from nothing.