Studieblad met kanaries 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this study sheet of canaries, with graphite on paper. I can imagine de Graag sketching in a sunlit room, observing the little birds and how they move, trying to capture their roundness and delicate features in line. Each canary is perched on a thin branch; the delicate, subtle lines create a sense of depth and texture, even though it is just a study. I wonder if she felt a connection to these creatures, maybe finding beauty in their simplicity? De Graag was part of a generation of artists who turned to nature for inspiration, seeking to capture its essence through careful observation and rendering. You can see it in other artists of her generation: Mondrian, for instance, or Gestel. I see the process here: observation, interpretation, mark-making, the kind of back and forth that defines painting. Remember: art isn’t just about what’s on the surface; it’s about the conversation between the artist, the subject, and us, the viewers.