Liggende figuur 1849 - 1917

Matthijs Maris sketched "Liggende figuur" in pencil on paper, presenting us with a study of a reclining figure. The composition is open, with lines that hint at form without fully enclosing it, a classic example of Maris' atmospheric style. The lines are not assertive but rather float across the grid of the paper, creating a sense of transience and incompleteness. The figure is loosely defined, almost dissolving into the background, which unsettles conventional figure-ground relationships. Maris' deliberate use of minimal strokes challenges our perception, inviting us to contemplate the essence of form rather than its detailed representation. The drawing can be seen as an exploration of suggestion, where the figure is less a concrete object and more a fleeting impression. The grid becomes part of the artwork, acting as a structural element that both supports and contrasts with the organic lines of the figure. The overall effect is a tension between the structured and the ephemeral, a hallmark of Maris' unique vision.