Jongen en meisje op een tuinpad c. 1925 - 1935

A. Tinbergen made this drawing of a boy and girl on a garden path with ink on paper. The use of simple, almost childlike lines gives the piece a raw, immediate feel, revealing the artmaking process itself. There's something really direct about the marks that make up this image: the scratchy, dense foliage, and the gentle curves defining the figures. Notice how the ink is used to create textures, like the boy's patterned sock, almost like a tiny, contained abstract expressionist painting. Look at the path they're walking on, indicated by these loose, squiggly lines, suggesting movement and maybe even a bit of uncertainty. The white space becomes crucial too. It’s not just a background; it defines shapes and adds lightness to the composition. It reminds me a little of Redon, though more folksy. Both embrace a kind of dreamlike imagery using primarily monochrome palettes to render everyday scenes uncanny. It’s a good reminder that art doesn't always need to shout, sometimes it can whisper.