Spelende kinderen 1922

Otto Verhagen made this lively sketch of children playing, using delicate washes of colour and energetic pencil lines. It's interesting how the art-making process is so visible here; you can almost feel Verhagen experimenting with different ways to capture the children's movements and expressions. Looking closely, I'm drawn to the way Verhagen uses the pencil to create depth and shadow. See the way he's built up the tone of the shadows using dense hatching? It reminds me how a simple tool can create such a rich sense of form and space. The light washes of watercolour add a softness to the scene, creating a beautiful contrast between the structured lines of the drawing and the fluid quality of the paint. It's so understated, but full of such expressive potential. I'm reminded of other artists who also captured fleeting moments of everyday life, like Berthe Morisot, who shared a similar interest in capturing scenes of children. There’s no right or wrong way to experience this piece, it's more about entering the space of play and letting your imagination wander.