Boerderij 1874 - 1875

Willem Cornelis Rip made this drawing of a farmhouse with graphite on paper. Rip was interested in the details of the landscape around him, captured here with the quick and rudimentary strokes of a pencil. The marks on the page indicate a study of the rural setting, with the intention of rendering the scene in paint at a later stage. While seemingly straightforward, drawing is a highly skilled practice with a long history. It allowed artists like Rip to explore the world around them. The medium invites a closer inspection of form and composition, capturing not only what we see, but also the essence of place. Rip has used hatching to create form and shadow, and quick scribbles to describe the foliage. In its simplicity, the drawing reminds us that all art is rooted in the craft of applying materials. Even a sketch like this one can offer deep insight into how an artist sees and understands the world.