Twee cilinders c. 1916 - 1945

Reijer Stolk created this drawing, titled "Twee cilinders" or "Two Cylinders", with pencil on paper. We might easily dismiss such a sketch, but doing so would cause us to overlook its value. The artist’s hand guides the pencil, marking the paper with lines and numbers that describe a specific set of forms. The marks, made with the simple technology of a graphite pencil, are the residue of Stolk’s thinking. The seemingly simple act of sketching, however, is more than just a means to an end. It is a fundamental practice. We get a peek into the way the artist made sense of his world. The drawing is a physical embodiment of his thoughts and observations. It brings into focus the artistic and intellectual labor that underpinned his work, providing us with a tangible connection to the past. It challenges the long-held hierarchy between concept and execution.