Kustgezicht, mogelijk met de watertoren te Scheveningen 1884 - 1927

This coastal scene, possibly with the watertower at Scheveningen, was sketched by Johan Antonie de Jonge with graphite on paper. It’s a study in atmosphere, a real impression. Look how the surface of the water is described with these diagonal marks, creating a sense of depth with variations in pressure. The marks are quite dark at the bottom of the page and become lighter as they reach the horizon line. Then look at the sky, and how the horizontal strokes create a sense of cloud cover. I'm really drawn to the sketchy quality, the way he’s exploring different marks and tones. It reminds me a bit of Whistler’s nocturnes, capturing a fleeting moment with a light touch. There's an honesty to the process. Art’s about the conversation between the artist and the world. There’s no final answer, only an ongoing dialogue.