Strand bij Scheveningen 1899 - 1920

Jan Mankes made this drawing of the beach at Scheveningen with graphite on paper. The soft, subtle gradations of tone he coaxes from his pencil is what really grabs me; it is like he is sketching the feeling of being in this place as much as the scene itself. Look closely at the way the line of the horizon almost disappears into the sky, or how the shadows are cast so delicately on the sand, to suggest the dampness and flatness of the beach. This level of detail is incredible when you remember it’s just pencil on paper. I love the way it feels both precise and vague at the same time. Mankes reminds me of other artists like James McNeill Whistler, who were drawn to quiet, contemplative subjects and explored the subtle nuances of tone and atmosphere in their work. Both encourage us to slow down, observe, and find beauty in the everyday.