Landschap met twee sloten en een gebouw 1876 - 1924

This landscape with two locks and a building was sketched by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof using graphite pencil on paper. Dijsselhof has used the inherent qualities of graphite to capture the scene. The pencil is a humble tool, immediate and accessible; the artist has used it here to make quick notations in sketchy lines, and blocks of tone. The texture of the paper is also important: it provides a tooth for the graphite to grip, creating a slightly rough surface that adds to the drawing's informality. Dijsselhof may have made this drawing en plein air, as a preparatory sketch for a more finished work. It is also possible that the drawing can be considered an artwork in its own right. Consider the relationship between the artist, his materials, and the time taken to create this drawing. The simplicity of the materials and the ease of the artist's technique challenge any hierarchy between fine art and craft. This work encourages us to appreciate the artistic value inherent in everyday materials and processes.