Eigen Haard Woningen 1917 - 1990

Michel de Klerk made Eigen Haard Woningen with watercolour and graphite on paper. Look at the way the brickwork is rendered, each brick is outlined, defined, individual and yet part of the larger plane of the wall. For me, it speaks to the way any artwork is made, mark by mark, decision by decision, bit by bit. The colours are muted, understated, and yet this only adds to the overall effect, focusing the eye on the construction of the surface, the way that thin washes of colour build up a convincing illusion of depth and texture, turning simple pigment into real brick. See how the artist has added just a tiny touch of detail to each of the picket fences, tiny vertical strokes that give the impression of sunlight catching on the surface of the wood. This careful consideration reminds me of Hilma af Klint, and her process of building up an image with a similar sense of care and attention. As with de Klerk, the image slowly builds with each application of line and colour, creating a wonderful sense of rhythm and purpose.