Studie 1849 - 1917

Matthijs Maris made this graphite drawing, known as Studie, sometime in the late nineteenth century. The artist has used a simple graphite pencil on paper, a common and accessible medium, to capture a fleeting moment or idea. The network of lines creates a sense of movement and energy. The graphite allows for a range of tonal variations, from light, barely-there strokes to darker, more defined marks. The artist seems to be exploring the possibilities of line and form, capturing the essence of a subject rather than its precise details. The overlaid grid reminds us of the industrial production of paper, the support on which Maris has laid down his sketch. Maris has created an artwork that values the process of exploration and experimentation over a finished product. By focusing on the materials and the act of making, we can appreciate the artist's skill and vision, and reconsider how we see the relationship between fine art and the everyday practice of drawing.