Schetsen van een leeuwtje 1918

Lambertus Zijl sketched these lion cubs with a soft graphite pencil, probably in 1918. Look at the looping lines, the economy of means! You can almost feel Zijl's hand moving quickly, trying to capture the fleeting essence of these playful creatures. The texture of the paper is visible beneath the marks, creating a subtle contrast with the smooth graphite. The lines themselves vary in weight and pressure, giving a sense of depth and volume despite the simplicity of the drawing. See how the looping line, suggesting the body of the lion cub on the lower right, creates a sense of movement and energy. It reminds me of some of Picasso's animal sketches, that same blend of observation and abstraction. Zijl's sketch isn’t about photographic realism; it’s about capturing something more essential: the spirit, the liveliness, of these little lions. It's like a visual poem, a meditation on form and movement, open to endless interpretations.