Struisvogels aan een waterkant c. 1904 - 1906

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this drawing of ostriches by a waterside in graphite, sometime before 1924. The most immediate experience is one of simplicity; the composition’s clarity is established through the ostriches placed as distinct vertical forms against the horizontal plane of the water. This structural arrangement offers us a study in contrasts, where height and brevity are considered and mirrored back in the delicate lines depicting both water and the ducks. Dijsselhof explores a play on perception, challenging our understanding of space within a two-dimensional context. The ostriches, though simplistic in their outlining, carry volume and the illusion of depth. The application of line suggests movement, not only in the walking ostriches but also in the ripples of water, creating a dynamic interplay between the static and fluid. Note how this interplay between line and form invites ongoing interpretation, as we consider how Dijsselhof has captured the essence of his subjects.