Affiche voor de tentoonstelling van Oude Kunst in het Rijksmuseum te Amsterdam, 1929 1929

This poster, made by Martin Monnickendam to advertise an exhibition in 1929, is like a quick sketch in red ink that got blown up really big. The lines defining the majestic facade of the Rijksmuseum are raw and immediate, and this gives it a lot of energy. The texture is minimal. You can sense the original paper, and the red ink sits right on top. It feels very direct. Look at the way the color fades and intensifies, particularly around the museum's towers, giving them a ghostly, animated feel. It reminds me of how when I make a drawing, a single expressive line is worth a thousand blended areas. It’s like Monnickendam knew that sometimes, less is way more. This piece reminds me of some of Matisse’s posters—simple, bold, and unforgettable. Art is just a conversation, right? And this poster is still speaking to us, loud and clear.