Twee liggende mannen 1906 - 1945

This is "Twee liggende mannen" (Two reclining men), a drawing by Reijer Stolk. Though undated, Stolk lived through both World Wars in the Netherlands, a time of immense social upheaval. The sketch shows two men in repose, but the rapid, almost anxious lines suggest a deeper tension. Are they resting, or are they merely resigned? Stolk’s artistic training would have been rooted in academic tradition, emphasizing anatomical precision. But here, form is subordinated to a sense of psychological unease. This deviation from established norms might be read as a subtle commentary on the social disruptions of his time. The Netherlands, while neutral in World War I, felt the pressures of economic hardship and social division, issues that only intensified during the interwar period and the Nazi occupation. Understanding this work fully requires considering the institutions that shaped Stolk’s artistic practice, and the socio-political context in which he lived. Further research into the artist’s biography, Dutch art education, and the broader cultural history of the period will enrich our understanding of this compelling drawing.