Duinlandschap 1884 - 1927

This is 'Duinlandschap', or 'Dune Landscape', by Johan Antonie de Jonge, a sketch done with graphite on paper. It looks like he was trying to catch the wind. You can almost feel it in the quick, scribbled lines across the top. It’s interesting how de Jonge captures the essence of a landscape with such minimal means. The texture of the paper is so present and contrasts with the ephemeral quality of the drawing. The blank space is as important as the marks themselves. Look at those little loops and dashes at the top - they remind me of Cy Twombly's sculptures. Both were interested in capturing fleeting moments and the physicality of mark-making. This piece embraces its ambiguity and invites us to bring our own interpretations to it.