Figuren in Zeeuwse kostuums c. 1856 - 1861

This undated drawing, Figuren in Zeeuwse kostuums, was created by Cornelis Springer. Executed in pencil, the composition offers a series of studies of figures in traditional Zeeland costumes, each delineated with a delicate hand. Springer’s sketch is an exercise in capturing form through line, as the figures emerge from the blank page with minimal shading or detail. This sketch emphasizes the act of seeing and recording, rather than presenting a finished depiction. The composition is fragmented, with figures scattered across the page in different poses. This anticipates the modernist interest in disrupting traditional modes of representation, challenging the viewer to piece together the image. Springer's sketch uses the technique of 'bricolage', repurposing existing elements to create new meanings through juxtaposition and context. Ultimately, the drawing invites us to consider the role of the sketch as a space of experimentation and the deconstruction of conventional forms, reflecting broader shifts in artistic and philosophical thought about representation.