Gevederde vleugel 1948 - 1949

Jan Petrus Ponstijn created this diminutive, undated sketch of a feathered wing. The warm sepia tones create a sense of depth and age in the piece, like a fossil or an artifact. There’s a clear process evident in the piece. You can see each stroke of the artist’s hand as he worked to capture the texture and movement of the feathers. Look at the layered marks, and the way they build upon each other to create form. The marks are both controlled and expressive. There’s a tension between precision and spontaneity that animates the work. The material qualities of the piece, the grainy paper and earth-toned ink, complement the subject matter, creating an overall impression of natural beauty and decay. This feathered wing reminds me of the work of Albrecht Dürer, who had a knack for rendering the natural world. Both of these artists invite us to slow down and appreciate the intricate details of the world around us. The piece embraces ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations.