Figuren op het strand 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this sketch of figures on the beach, probably on location. It's all about the immediacy of the moment, the process of capturing what’s there with a few simple marks. The pencil feels light, almost floating across the page. Look at how the lines define the shapes of the figures. The texture of the paper peeks through, giving it a sense of openness, like the beach itself. There's a beautiful tension between what's defined and what's left to the imagination. Notice how the figures blend into the background, becoming part of the landscape. It reminds me of the early sketches of Manet. This piece is a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout. Sometimes, it can whisper.