Twee figuren, leunend met de hoofden dicht bij elkaar 1849 - 1917

This drawing, 'Twee figuren, leunend met de hoofden dicht bij elkaar', or 'Two figures leaning with their heads close together' was made by Matthijs Maris. Maris created this sketch with graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, on paper. The material lends itself to the quick, gestural lines that define the composition. Looking at the density of marks, you can tell Maris was not concerned with polished details. Instead, Maris seemed to have been interested in the way in which these simple materials could capture the intimate connection between two figures. The layering of graphite creates depth and shadow. It is these tonal variations that suggest the forms of the figures, their postures, and their emotional closeness. In appreciating this drawing, it's the immediacy of the medium, combined with the subject, that truly enlivens the work. It also points to the cultural significance of drawing as an important art form, particularly in the artist's exploration of human relationships and the ephemeral nature of emotion.