Bosgezicht 1881 - 1927

Johan Antonie de Jonge created ‘Bosgezicht’ with graphite and colored pencil on paper. The sketch shows a landscape, where dark horizontal lines cross the image in the upper section, and sporadic strokes of grey, brown, yellow, blue, and green define the lower section. Graphite and colored pencils are relatively accessible materials, reflecting a turn to modern art in the late 19th and early 20th century, where art moves away from more academic methods. The marks are applied quickly, and the texture of the paper is visible. These are subtle decisions that can be interpreted as a political stance, prioritizing the artist's immediate expression over more laboured, formal techniques. This emphasis on the process reduces the emphasis on the art as a commodity, creating more space for the artist. By considering the materials and processes, we can understand the social and cultural values embedded in artmaking, challenging the idea that fine art is somehow elevated above craft or design.