Sluis bij Dedham Possibly 1913 - 1917

Alexander Shilling made this drawing of a Lock near Dedham, with what looks like graphite on paper. There’s a real sense of urgency in the marks - this wasn't labored over. See how the strokes describing the trees overlap and interweave with each other, creating depth and shadow. It's like Shilling is trying to capture a fleeting moment, and he embraces the process of artmaking with a kind of freedom and immediacy. The textures created by the graphite give a tactile quality to the scene; the rough sketchiness of the lock contrasts with the softer rendering of the trees. The way Shilling uses line is interesting. It's not just about outlining shapes but creating a sense of atmosphere and light. Think of Van Gogh's landscapes, where the raw energy of the mark-making becomes just as important as the subject itself. Art is a constant conversation, isn't it? This piece reminds us that there's always room for interpretation.