Kroonluchter voor een raampartij met gordijnen 1885 - 1931

Willem Bastiaan Tholen made this drawing of a chandelier, window, and curtains with pencil. The all-over hatching that establishes the composition feels so exploratory, like thinking in graphite. The texture created by the pencil strokes is the star. I love the build-up of tone in the curtains, and the way the light seems to bounce off the chandelier. The contrast between the darks and lights creates a feeling of depth, drawing you into the scene. There’s a real focus on capturing the details of the chandelier, each curve and flourish rendered with care. And how the weight of the lines varies gives everything a sense of volume and presence. It reminds me of some of the quick sketches that Van Gogh made, not just in its subject matter but in the sheer economy of means with which Tholen conjures depth and light. Ultimately, this piece speaks to the ongoing dialogue between artists across time, each finding new ways to explore the world around them through drawing.