Studies van een poon en twee schollen, met kleurnotities 1876 - 1924

This drawing of a gurnard and two plaice with color notes was made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof, but the date is unknown. Dijsselhof used graphite on paper to capture these fish, and the medium itself speaks volumes. Graphite, derived from mined ore, connects this seemingly simple sketch to the industrialized world. Unlike traditional painting or sculpture, the ease and affordability of graphite democratized art-making. The study feels immediate, a quick impression recorded with a readily available tool. Notice the texture of the graphite on the paper; the soft shading brings out the form and subtle details of the fish. You can almost feel the smoothness of their skin. The artist's notations about color further enhance this sense of direct observation. Dijsselhof prompts us to consider the relationship between art, industry, and the everyday. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the skill and artistry inherent in a humble drawing.