Figuur en enkele dieren, mogelijk koeien, op een landweg 1848 - 1888

This is a pencil drawing titled "Figuur en enkele dieren, mogelijk koeien, op een landweg" (Figure and some animals, possibly cows, on a country road) by Anton Mauve, part of the Rijksmuseum collection. In this drawing, the artist establishes an intriguing composition with a stark contrast between dense, dark strokes on the left and sparser lines on the right. Notice how Mauve uses hatching to create depth and shadow, especially in the depiction of the possible cows, giving them a palpable weight and presence. The strategic use of blank space creates a sense of atmospheric perspective, suggesting distance and openness within the landscape. The artist seems less interested in a mimetic representation of the rural scene, and more in the formal interplay of tonal contrasts to achieve pictorial depth. Consider how the interplay between form and space challenges traditional landscape representation. The drawing is not just a picture; it's a statement about the very nature of seeing and representing the world.