Schetsblad met studies van karpers 1876 - 1924

This is Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof’s sketch sheet with studies of carp. Graphite on paper captures multiple perspectives of the fish, creating a dynamic interplay between form and texture. Dijsselhof’s use of line ranges from delicate outlines to smudged shading, suggesting depth and movement, and an almost palpable sense of the carp gliding through water. The composition of the drawing balances a scientific approach with an artistic one, echoing the Symbolist movement's interest in the natural world. The carp, beyond being a mere subject of study, becomes a signifier loaded with cultural associations. In some Eastern traditions, they are symbolic of perseverance and good fortune. The varying degrees of finish in each study emphasize process, reminding us that art is a method of exploration and an ongoing conversation with the subject, and that representation is a construction of meaning.