Staande, gebogen en knielende figuren 1906 - 1945

Editor: Here we have “Staande, gebogen en knielende figuren,” or “Standing, Bent, and Kneeling Figures,” a pencil and paper drawing made sometime between 1906 and 1945. It's held here at the Rijksmuseum. It feels incredibly simple, just these few lines capturing the essence of human forms, but I am not sure what the artist wants to convey with it. What do you see in this sketch? Curator: For me, it’s a raw glimpse into an artist's thought process. Look at how economical the lines are – almost a visual shorthand. The figures are anonymous, stripped down to their postures. It speaks to me of fleeting moments, studies of movement, and perhaps an exploration of vulnerability or humility given their stances. Do you feel a sense of connection, despite their anonymity? Editor: I do now that you mention it. It's like catching a quick glimpse of people in a crowd. They become both familiar and foreign somehow. Is there a specific purpose for drawings like this? Curator: Potentially countless! Maybe these were preliminary sketches for a larger painting or sculpture, or purely for the artist's personal exploration. This reminds me of old photographs of my grandmother, the way each crease in her dress hinted at untold stories and endless tales from another world. Perhaps Stolk, the artist, wanted the viewers to look at themselves from another perspective? To feel as anonymous and as important at the same time. What is your interpretation? Editor: That’s fascinating. I had only been thinking about what the postures might represent. Seeing it as part of the artist’s broader experimentation… it opens up a new way of thinking about sketchbooks in general. Curator: Exactly! And isn't it amazing how much a few simple lines can communicate? It is such a direct connection to the artist's hand. It reminds me of dreams. You look at a space with familiar and unfamiliar shapes that at first might feel completely absurd, but at second glance create the fabric of oneiric journeys. Editor: Absolutely! I’ll definitely look at sketches differently from now on, seeking stories within what might seem incomplete at first glance.