Plant en hangende takken met bladeren c. 1916

Reijer Stolk made this drawing of a plant and hanging branches with leaves, with what looks like graphite on paper. Look at how Stolk has used simple lines to create a whole world. There’s a beautiful contrast between the dense, almost scribbled lines in the background and the large, blank leaves in the foreground. This reminds me of the way Henri Matisse would leave areas of bare canvas in his paintings, letting the negative space do some of the work. The texture is created by the density of the lines, inviting you to touch it and see the depth created. Focus on the lower left corner, on the hatched lines of what looks like a plant pot. The attention and love given to this small corner is beautiful. Stolk's drawing reminds us that art doesn't always need to be about perfect representation; sometimes, it's about capturing a feeling. It’s about the conversation between the artist and the paper, and the conversation that continues with us, the viewers.