Drie vissen 1899 - 1920

Jan Mankes created this intimate drawing of three fish using pen and India ink on paper. The three fish are presented in separate, stacked rectangular frames, each a study in contrasts. Mankes masterfully employs the stark opposition of black ink against the white paper, creating a captivating visual tension. Notice how the dark, inky backgrounds throw the detailed, lighter forms of the fish into sharp relief. Each fish is meticulously rendered with intricate patterns suggesting scales, fins, and the subtle play of light on their bodies. The composition is simple yet sophisticated, using the inherent qualities of the medium to create depth and texture. Mankes' reductive approach reflects a modernist sensibility, distilling the subject to its most essential elements. This creates a fascinating interplay between positive and negative space, inviting you to contemplate the fundamental structures of representation and perception.