Elephant with Mice on his Back and Trunk c. 1904 - 1906

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this pen drawing of an elephant with mice on his back and trunk at an unknown date. It's just a few lines on paper, but those lines speak volumes. I imagine Dijsselhof hovering over this page, letting his hand wander, feeling for the form. What's the quickest way to capture an elephant, its essence, its size, and its gentle nature? And then, the tiny mice! One perched precariously on its trunk, another on its back, and another scampering nearby. There's a playful energy here, a lightness of touch that makes you smile. The drawing isn’t overworked, it's just enough to spark your imagination. Look at that line describing the curve of the elephant's trunk, it's so simple, yet so expressive! I love how artists can capture the world with such economy and grace.