Straat in Noord-Afrika c. 1936

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of a street in North Africa with graphite on paper. Look at the way he’s built the composition, thinking through the image with lines, rubbing some out, putting some back in, changing his mind, until he finds the structure he wants. I love the texture that comes from the grain of the paper and the density of graphite, and how it creates a sense of light. There’s a lightness to the sketch, but also a feeling of atmosphere, as though the street is alive and buzzing. Notice the palm tree on the left, those dark lines and jagged edges—it’s like a signature. It really sets the tone for the piece. It reminds me a little of Cy Twombly, that same sense of restless energy and an openness to the accidents of process. This drawing isn’t trying to show you one thing, but opens up a space for thinking.