Slapende man op het strand 1930

This is a study of figures on a beach, made in 1930 by Otto Verhagen, probably with graphite and colored pencil. I love the quickness of the strokes, so simple, yet they conjure up an entire world. I can imagine Verhagen sitting on the beach with his sketchbook, quickly trying to capture the figures in front of him, maybe he felt that the scene would disappear at any minute. I feel sympathetic to any artist trying to capture life as it happens! The sleeping man at the top is my favorite. He's sprawled out, taking up space, completely unbothered. I love the slightly darker marks Verhagen used to suggest the shadows and folds of his clothes, it really brings him to life, or should I say, to sleep! It reminds me a little bit of Daumier's quick sketches of figures in public spaces, capturing everyday life with so much energy. It’s a generous and humane act.