Ornament met lelies 1877 - 1948

Herman Antonius van Daalhoff made this drawing, Ornament met lelies, with what looks like graphite or charcoal on paper. It's all about mark-making, you know, like a dance of the hand, building up the image bit by bit. The texture is soft, almost velvety, thanks to the way the artist layered the medium. Look closely, and you can see how the light and dark tones create a sense of depth, even though it's all on a flat surface. The lilies emerge from the background through a kind of gentle pressure, like they're breathing. There's this one lily, slightly to the left, that seems to lean out towards you, its form both delicate and strong. It reminds me of Odilon Redon's dreamlike drawings, where flowers become these otherworldly beings. Ultimately, this piece shows us that art isn't about perfection, but about the beauty of process.