Zwaan 1906 - 1945

Reijer Stolk made this sketch of a swan with ink on paper. Look at how Stolk fearlessly captured the swan’s stance with such assured lines. I bet Stolk sat outside, pad in lap, quickly recording its essence. What a challenge, trying to capture a living thing with a static medium, so the swan doesn’t fly away. See how he drew the bird’s outstretched wings with delicate curves. The lines seem to dance with the swan’s movement, don’t they? I like how his marks are direct and unlabored; Stolk's economy of line reminds me of Matisse. Both artists share a belief in the power of simplicity. The quick, minimal strokes, like little notations, convey form without getting bogged down in details. Stolk's swan feels alive, its energy almost palpable. It’s as if he’s inviting us to join in a visual conversation, across time, about the beauty and fragility of life.