Studie 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made this drawing, probably in the early 20th century, with a humble pencil. It’s called 'Studie', which is just 'study' in Dutch, so right away, we know this is about process. Look at how the lines build up the form, they’re scratchy, almost like he's feeling his way around the shape. There's a dark patch at the top, a flurry of marks, and then these confident lines that define the lower part. It’s a bit like a dress, maybe? Or a flower, opening up? It's funny how the simplest of materials can create such a strong sense of presence. I'm thinking of other artists who use drawing as a way of thinking – Twombly comes to mind, or even some of Giacometti's quick sketches. This piece isn’t about perfection, it’s about the act of seeing and trying to capture something fleeting. And in that, it becomes something beautiful in itself.