Anatomische studie van de hals-, arm- en beenspieren van een man 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made this anatomical study of a man's muscles sometime in the first half of the 20th century. The stark contrast between the black ink and the paper really grabs you, doesn't it? Look at how Stolk uses lines, almost like he's sketching with a very sharp tool, to build up the form. The muscles aren't just drawn, they're built with this frantic energy. I’m reminded of how, when I'm painting, sometimes it’s about attacking the canvas, a real physical back and forth. See how the lines in the legs are packed close together, and how they spread out across the back? There's this incredible tension, like the figure is about to spring into action. This piece reminds me a bit of some of Käthe Kollwitz’s woodcuts. Both artists share a similar intensity, a way of using the medium to convey raw emotion and physical presence. It's a reminder that art isn't just about what you see, but how it makes you feel.