Gezicht op Heerjansdam aan de Oude Maas 1907

Alexander Shilling made this drawing of Gezicht op Heerjansdam aan de Oude Maas with what looks like a graphite pencil, letting a whole world emerge from a few quick marks. Look closely and you can see how he uses the side of the pencil to create tone, almost like shading, which adds depth to the whole thing. The graphite has a slight sheen, it reflects light, and this brings a sense of light and atmosphere, even with just the one material. In the bottom of the drawing, the artist captures the ground, using thin lines which contrast with the thicker marks used to capture the buildings in the background. The signature at the bottom looks so confident, as though it was the most exciting part of making the drawing. This drawing has a kinship to Van Gogh's landscapes, but Shilling has his own distinctive way of seeing. Ultimately, art isn't about perfect copies but about different ways of looking and experiencing the world.