Figuurstudie c. 1916

Reijer Stolk sketched this figure study in graphite, capturing a pose that echoes through art history. Notice the figure’s raised arm, a gesture laden with meaning. It's reminiscent of classical depictions of Venus, often linked to notions of beauty and the sacred feminine. This motif of the raised arm isn’t unique to Stolk; it appears in countless variations across time. Think of Botticelli’s Venus, her hand modestly covering herself, or even further back, to ancient sculptures where it symbolized power and divinity. Over time, the gesture has become a complex symbol, embodying everything from vulnerability to command. The artist taps into something primal. Perhaps, through our collective memory, we recognize these echoes, and this visual vocabulary is more potent than we consciously understand. The rough strokes of the sketch amplify this effect, creating a powerful, subconscious connection between the viewer and the artwork.