Schetsblad met studies van Karpers 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this sketch sheet with studies of carps using graphite. Dijsselhof was active during a time of significant artistic and cultural change, amid rising industrialization, colonialism, and evolving social norms. Notice how the fish seem to stare, their eyes drawing us into their watery world. The sketch sheet offers a glimpse into Dijsselhof's study and artistic process, capturing his observations. There's a sensitivity in the depiction of the fish, perhaps reflecting a deeper connection to the natural world. While Dijsselhof's compositions and graphic work often portray a harmonious relationship between nature and ornamentation, this sketch, with its directness, captures a more vulnerable aspect of the natural world, reminding us of our intertwined existence. The image carries a delicate balance between observation and artistic expression, urging us to contemplate our relationship with nature and the creatures that inhabit it.