Studie c. 1916

This is Reijer Stolk’s "Studie," made sometime before 1945, probably on paper. It’s so delicate, it's like catching a thought before it fully forms. The drawing is mostly open space, but it’s got these soft, almost apologetic marks near the top, quick scribbles that suggest figures or objects, trying to find their place. Then there’s this gentle wash of color bleeding in from the side, blues and browns, as if the world outside is seeping in, just a hint of grounding. I love how Stolk lets the paper breathe. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s a possibility, not a declaration." Those light touches feel so intentional, like he’s considering what to reveal and what to leave unsaid. It reminds me of Morandi's quiet still lifes, where the space around the objects is just as important as the objects themselves. Both artists share this beautiful economy of means, saying so much with so little.