Koppen van een hond 1884 - 1952

Reinier Willem Petrus de Vries made this sketch of two dog heads with graphite on paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice the artist has worked efficiently. The tooth of the paper grabs the graphite, resulting in a soft, granular texture. The hatching gives the dogs a feeling of solidity with simple lines of varying pressure. The artist skillfully employs this method of layering to capture the depth and volume of the animals’ snouts. The economy of the technique underscores its immediacy. Although seemingly simple, drawing is a highly skilled practice, often taken for granted. Here, the artistic process provides direct access to the artist’s perception. Rather than a highly finished painting, the sketch foregrounds the value of labor and draftsmanship. Through material and making, we get a sense of the artist’s hand and the subject’s character. It's a testament to the enduring power of basic materials to convey the essence of a subject with minimal means.