Boom in blad 1885 - 1931

Willem Bastiaan Tholen created "Boom in blad," using what appears to be graphite on paper. The drawing invites us into a world defined by the interplay of line and form. A horizontal mass of line, likely a body of water, divides the composition, creating a mirrored effect. Above, intricate branches reach skyward, while their reflections dance below. Tholen's strategic use of line creates an effect of depth, drawing the eye into a complex network of branches and foliage. The reflections, rendered with looser, more gestural strokes, contribute to an ethereal quality, destabilizing our perception of space and form. This echoes a broader artistic concern with capturing transient, subjective experiences of nature. The work's power lies in its simplicity, as Tholen masterfully employs line and composition to engage with notions of reflection and perception. The drawing doesn't offer a fixed view, but instead invites us to contemplate the fluidity of representation and the ever-changing relationship between reality and its image.