Vrouw op een bank 1866 - 1939

Bernard Willem Wierink made this drawing, "Vrouw op een bank", with graphite and watercolor on paper. Though seemingly traditional, the deliberate incompleteness of the work pushes against the established standards of fine art. Look closely, and you’ll notice the sketch-like quality. The delicate washes of color, the visible pencil lines, and the partially filled text areas all contribute to a sense of process. Is it unfinished, or is this incompleteness intentional? This challenges the viewer to consider the labor involved in creating a finished work. The visible marks of production—the underdrawing, the corrections—become part of the aesthetic experience. This elevation of process over product reflects a broader shift in the art world, which started to value the artist's hand and the act of creation. Wierink invites us to appreciate the journey of making, not just the final destination. This reminds us that art is not just about the finished object, but also about the labor, the decisions, and the very human act of creation.