Kerstbomenbos 1898

Editor: This is "Kerstbomenbos," a pencil drawing from 1898 by Willem Wenckebach, currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The texture created by the pencil strokes gives it such an ethereal quality; it feels very dreamlike, yet somehow stark at the same time. What draws your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: The compositional structure is immediately compelling. Note the way Wenckebach establishes depth through a layering of lines, a veritable forest of marks, creating spatial recession without relying on conventional perspective. He focuses on the intrinsic relationship between line and space, and then he balances areas of dense hatching against the relatively untouched ground, calling attention to the surface of the paper. Editor: So, you’re focusing on the formal elements rather than what it represents? Curator: Precisely. We can also consider the tonal gradations—observe how the variations in pressure upon the pencil yield a surprisingly sophisticated range of values, allowing Wenckebach to simulate the diffusion of light within this wooded landscape. The image invites contemplation on the capacity of minimal means to suggest a rich sensory experience, do you not agree? Editor: I can definitely see how much he achieves with so little, focusing purely on the pencil strokes to create light and shadow. I initially looked past that because it seemed simple, but now it’s all I see. Curator: And that simplicity is deceptive. Notice, as well, the borderline abstraction in the treatment of the foliage in the middle-ground and the subtle orchestration of near-monochromatic values in the service of depth perception. Wenckebach exploits these intrinsic visual properties, moving past mere representation toward the distillation of sensory impressions through purely formal means. Editor: Thank you, looking at the drawing with the focus you brought, the simplicity speaks so much louder than it did before. Curator: Indeed, focusing on the basic elements reveals an artful balancing act, and hopefully enhances the experience in meaningful ways.