Johannes van Zijll de Jong op motor bij bosweg 1930 - 1935

This photograph of Johannes van Zijll de Jong on a motorbike by a forest path was made by an anonymous artist. The tonal range in this piece is exquisite; the artist coaxes a real feeling of depth out of the limited range of greys. It's almost as if they're feeling their way through the tonal values, much like the motorbike makes its way along the forest path. I love the way the trees are almost blurred into a single, dark mass, contrasting with the single file of bare birch trees that line the path like white skeletons. The texture of the muddy path is almost palpable, and you can sense the cool air of the forest in the hazy background. The single figure of Johannes is carefully positioned to draw the eye, his face, though small, is full of character. It reminds me a little of some of the early landscapes of Gerhard Richter, though perhaps that's just the monochrome palette talking. Both artists share a similar interest in the poetics of the everyday. Art is just like a conversation, going back and forth across time.