Studieblad met schelpjes 1876 - 1951

This study sheet with shells was made with pen and ink, and possibly graphite, by Theo Nieuwenhuis. What I like about it is how each shell gets its own little world. It's like Nieuwenhuis is saying, "Okay, shell, what's your story?" Look at the variety, some are just outlines, whispering their presence, while others are densely filled in, heavy with shadow. There’s this one at the bottom right, packed with dense strokes, as though the artist was really trying to get to know it. The level of detail varies, creating a rhythm, a dance of presence and absence. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the drawing. It’s like the shells aren't just on the paper; they're *of* it. This feels like the work of someone who understands that art isn’t just about representation, but also about the act of seeing and feeling. You could say it’s got a touch of Giorgio Morandi about it, that same feeling that everything in the world is connected.