Kermis bij de haven van Vlissingen 1933 - 1937

This drawing of a fair at the harbor of Vlissingen was made by Otto Verhagen in 1933, presumably on the spot with a pencil. The marks are a bit scratchy and uneven, but that gives it a real sense of immediacy, like you're right there with the artist. Looking at the texture, you can almost feel the tooth of the paper, and see how the pencil drags and skips across the surface. Notice how the shading is built up with layers of tiny, parallel lines. It's not about being smooth or precise, it's more about capturing the energy of the scene, the bustle of the fair, the bobbing of the boats. See the way the crane in the background is rendered in such thin, delicate lines? It contrasts with the darker, more densely shaded forms in the foreground, which brings the whole picture alive. It reminds me a little of Lyonel Feininger's architectural drawings, but with a bit more grit and a touch of humor. Like all the best art, it makes you see the world in a new way.