Schetsen van een leeuwtje 1918

Here we see Lambertus Zijl's study of a lion cub, rendered in graphite on paper. The composition consists of several sketches, each capturing the cub in various poses and angles. The use of line is particularly striking; Zijl employs a delicate, almost hesitant stroke, which paradoxically conveys both the cub's tentative movements and its latent power. The sketches, spread across the paper, create a dynamic interplay of forms. There’s a sense of structural exploration, where the artist is less concerned with capturing a perfect likeness than with understanding the underlying geometry of the animal's form. This emphasis on form invites us to consider the semiotics of the lion cub. Ultimately, it is the simplicity of the lines that captivates. Zijl’s subtle use of line, a foundational element of art, serves not only to depict but also to evoke a sense of wonder at the natural world.