Waterplant, met kleurnotities 1876 - 1924

This is Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof's drawing 'Waterplant, met kleurnotities' created with graphite on paper. The drawing offers a glimpse into Dijsselhof's analytical approach to form. Notice how the radiating lines of the water plant's leaves create a sense of dynamic movement, emerging from a concentrated center, while the muted tones lend an air of quiet observation. Dijsselhof’s approach reflects an interest in the underlying structures of nature, akin to the botanical studies of the era. The annotations scattered across the composition act as a semiotic layer, revealing the artist's thought process. These notes disrupt the conventional viewing experience, inviting us to consider the relationship between observation and interpretation. They challenge the idea of a fixed representation and instead, highlight the subjective act of seeing and recording. The drawing's formal qualities and the interplay of line, form, and annotation create a dialogue between objective representation and subjective interpretation. This exemplifies how art can destabilize established modes of perception.