Schreierstoren te Amsterdam 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this sketch of the Schreierstoren in Amsterdam with graphite on paper. I love seeing the bones of a building laid bare in a sketch; it’s like catching a glimpse behind the curtain. What strikes me is the economy of line. Vreedenburgh uses only what’s essential, a mere suggestion of form and shadow. Look at the rooftop, how the strokes gather and disperse, implying texture and depth with such minimal effort. It’s all about the process here, the artist thinking through line, figuring things out as he goes. You can almost feel him making decisions, adjusting angles, correcting lines. The smudges and erasures tell a story of exploration, not about concealing but revealing the artist’s hand. I'm reminded of Cy Twombly's sketches, where the line seems to dance on the page, capturing not just what the eye sees but the energy and rhythm of the world around us. Art isn't about capturing a fixed reality. It’s a way of seeing, of engaging, of inviting us into the conversation.