Twee zittende mannen c. 1916

Reijer Stolk drew 'Twee zittende mannen' with a pencil, somewhere around the early to mid 20th century, capturing two seated men with an economy of line. The pencil marks are tentative, almost searching, which gives you the feeling of being present in the moment of creation. There’s a real sense of process here. Look at the way the lines describe the figures, they’re not closed off, not precious; the artist is figuring it out as he goes along. The men are reduced to their barest essence; a hat, a leg stretched out, the curve of a back. I’m really drawn to the man lower down the page, the line describing his left leg is particularly fluid and lovely, and the way it just stops, unfinished, makes me think about how much information our brains fill in when we look at an image. Stolk's simple drawing reminds me of some of Guston’s late works, there is a similarly casual approach, yet they are deceptively skillful. They remind us that art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, the quietest voices are the most profound.