Plantenstudie 1900s

This is a pencil drawing of a plant by A.G. Dake, likely made on site in Valkenburg in September 1900. I can imagine the artist with their pad of paper and pencil, perched somewhere outside, really looking, and trying to capture the essence of this plant. It's so delicate, so precise. You know, I really appreciate the way they haven't tried to overwork it, they've kept it really simple, almost like a diagram, but still full of life. There's a kind of loving observation that comes through. Look how each leaf has its own character, each stem is so carefully placed! It's like the artist is in conversation with the plant, learning its secrets, understanding its form. I bet Dake had smudged fingers, the pleasure of touch and the joy of seeing, translated into something so lovely and light. It's such a gift to be able to see the world in this way, isn’t it?