Two Studies of a Woman Sitting in a Landscape c. 1874 - 1875

Matthijs Maris created "Two Studies of a Woman Sitting in a Landscape" using graphite on paper. The sheet is divided into two distinct registers, each offering a glimpse into the artist's exploration of form and figure. In the upper study, notice how the dense network of lines coalesces to suggest the form of a seated woman amidst a landscape. The lines, rather than defining precise contours, create a sense of movement. This abstraction challenges conventional representation. The lower study presents a more subdued rendering, with lighter, fainter lines sketching out another iteration of the same subject. Here, the landscape elements become more prominent. The interplay between the figure and landscape is rendered through Maris's distinctive mark-making. The artist destabilizes traditional notions of space and form, inviting viewers to question their perceptions of reality. This drawing functions as an intellectual exercise in perception and representation, prompting us to consider the transient nature of form.