In de hooistal 1925

Otto Hanrath made "In de hooistal" using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. It's amazing how he builds tone and form with what is essentially a network of lines, a process that reminds me of my own painting where I start with a loose sketch and let the image emerge. Looking at the horse, you can see the density of the marks giving it shape and weight. The lines are so tactile, almost like feeling the texture of the hay itself. It’s not just about representation but about recreating an experience. The woman on the left, with her arms crossed, is rendered with such clarity, she looks like someone I might know. Similarly, the elder man seems lost in thought, as though he and the horse are sharing a quiet moment of rural contemplation. This reminds me a little of Käthe Kollwitz, with that same investment in humble scenes and figures. Hanrath shares her love of drawing, and the power of a simple mark to say so much.