Boomstam en bloesemtak 1899 - 1920

Jan Mankes made this drawing, *Boomstam en bloesemtak,* with pencil on paper. It’s a sketch, really, and feels like a glimpse into his process. I love how simple it is. The tree trunk is built up with these dense, dark lines, almost like he’s shading with the pencil tip on its side. Then, the blossom branch, is so delicate, just the faintest whisper of a line. And down near the base of the trunk, there is this tiny little sprout, like a promise of renewal. The contrast between the solid trunk and airy blossom is really striking. It makes me think about other artists who were fascinated by nature, like Mondrian and his evolving trees. But where Mondrian went abstract, Mankes stays rooted in observation. It’s like he’s trying to capture the essence of the tree, its strength and fragility, all at once. And that tension, that ambiguity, is what makes it so compelling, you know?