Kerk c. 1909s

Curator: This is "Kerk," a sketchbook page from around 1909 by Alexander Shilling, executed in pencil and ink. Editor: Stark, somehow. There's a roughness to the strokes that hints at speed and maybe even urgency. The church depicted has a simplified, almost diagrammatic feel, even for a sketch. Curator: Sketchbooks, especially from this era, often served as visual diaries, capturing fleeting impressions and ideas. Churches, as focal points of community, frequently appear. Do you sense a spiritual undercurrent here, despite its brevity? Editor: Hmm, not overtly. I am struck, rather, by the dominance of line, especially in rendering the texture of what appears to be a tree. The geometric abstraction of the building contrasts nicely with the free strokes nearby. A structured sanctuary alongside wild growth. Curator: Absolutely, that tension plays out on the page. Consider too, how churches embody the continuity of generations; the spire remains a steadfast symbol against the backdrop of changing cityscapes. There may have been, for the artist, comfort in documenting such a monument. Editor: Yes, I'm drawn to the verticality implied. The upward reach of the spire and the trees – everything directs your gaze to a space beyond the confines of the page. It's like an implied perspective. Curator: It seems Shilling used these quick studies to grasp at something more lasting. It encourages us to contemplate the layered meanings embedded even in the most unassuming sketch. Editor: I agree; this work epitomizes the raw, unfiltered thinking process. The charm of "Kerk" is found in how such elementary tools capture complex ideas, wouldn’t you agree?